KANSAS CITY — The Royals take an eight-game losing streak into tonight’s game against the Twins, but tonight Kansas City will send Brian Bannister to the mound.

Bannister is 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in four career starts against the Twins, including a three-hit complete game on April 13. Here are the lineups, with a look at how the Minnesotans have fared against Bannister for their career.

Update (5:45 p.m.): The Twins will flip-flop Boof Bonser and Glen Perkins this time through the rotation. Perkins will stay on regular rest and pitch Friday against the Yankees. Bonser will be pushed to Saturday, which just happens to be the same day Scott Baker makes his next rehab start, this time for Class A Fort Myers.

The writing appears to be on the wall for Bonser. He’s likely headed to the bullpen once Baker returns from the DL. Bonser is out of options, so he’ll go to the bullpen instead of the minors.

Saturday sounds like the new target date for Nick Punto to be activated from the DL. He has had 19 at-bats in simulated and extended spring training games and is scheduled to play in another seven-inning game Wednesday.

His wife, Natalie, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child on Friday, so he’ll return to Minnesota on Thursday evening. Saturday would be the soonest he’d rejoin the Twins.

Twins (25-25)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF (0-for-4)

2. Alexi Casilla, 2B (1-for-5)

3. Joe Mauer, C (1-for-6)

4. Justin Morneau, 1B (4-for-13, 1 RBI)

5. Michael Cuddyer, RF (0-for-5)

6. Jason Kubel, DH (3-for-10, 2 RBI)

7. Delmon Young, LF (0-for-6)

8. Mike Lamb, 3B (0-for-2)

9. Brendan Harris, SS (0-for-5)

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn

Royals (21-30)

1. David DeJesus, RF

2. Joey Gathright, CF

3. Alex Gordon, 3B

4. Jose Guillen, LF

5. Miguel Olivo, DH

6. Mark Teahen, 1B

7. John Buck, C

8. Esteban German, 2B

9. Tony Pena, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Brian Bannister

Kauffman Stadium. First pitch: 7:05 p.m.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 at 3:40 pm and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.