(My Sportsbook) - The Minnesota Twins will try to remain in the win column when they host the Kansas City Royals tonight in the second matchup of a three-game series at the Metrodome.

Last night, Joe Mauer went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run and scored three times in his first game of the year as the Twins edged the Royals, 7-5.

Mauer returned Friday after missing the Twins' first 22 games due to lower back inflammation. Justin Morneau also went 2-for-3 with a homer and drove in three runs for the Twins, who have won three in a row to move over .500 (12-11). Nick Punto added two RBI and Brendan Harris knocked in a run in the triumph.

Kevin Slowey (4-0) earned the win despite lasting just five innings and giving up five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Joe Nathan earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.

David DeJesus drove in three runs for Kansas City, which had won three of four over Toronto heading into this series. Jose Guillen knocked in a pair of runs in the setback.

Sidney Ponson (0-4) was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

Looking to end the Twins' streak will be Brian Bannister, who will be making his third start of the season. Bannister has been outstanding thus far for the Royals, allowing just one run in 13 innings while posting a 2-0 mark with an outstanding 0.69 earned run average.

The last time the right-hander was on the rubber, he held the tough Toronto Blue Jays to just one run in seven innings on Monday. However, the 28-year-old did walk six batters while striking out only two.

In six previous starts against the Twins, Bannister has performed well, having racked up a 3-1 record while posting a respectable 3.40 ERA.

The Twins will counter with Glen Perkins, who will be looking to rebound from a tough setback to Cleveland. In Sunday's loss to the Indians, the southpaw allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings.

It was the shortest outing of the season for Perkins, who opened the year tossing at least eight innings in each of his first three contests.

Perkins has made four previous appearances against Kansas City, but only one was as a starter. Overall, the crafty lefty has tossed 8 1/3 innings against the Royals, allowing two runs while striking out seven.

The Royals have won three of their last five against the Twins, but Minnesota won 12 of the 18 meetings a season ago.