ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — The Twins will face Rays righthander Edwin Jackson in Game 2 of this four-game series at Tropicana Field.

Jackson has been a big part of Tampa Bay’s turnaround this season. He has tremendous pure stuff and has harnessed it for most of his starts.

But in his last start, Sunday in New York, the Yankees pounded him for six runs on six hits in two innings. Tampa Bay lost that game 8-4. We’ll see how he’s able to put that start behind him tonight.

The Twins counter with Nick Blackburn, who gave up four home runs in his last start, a 7-3 loss Sunday at Baltimore.

The Twins are 1-6 in Blackburn’s last six starts, and he has a 4.87 ERA in that span.

Update (6:05 p.m.): As Reusse reported today, the Twins plan to use Monday’s off day to skip Glen Perkins the next time through the rotation.

Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey will face the White Sox next week, and Perkins will be slotted back in to pitch the Saturday game against the Royals. (Francisco Liriano will pitch the first game of that series with Baker in the regular season finale.)

Perkins is 0-1 with a 9.42 ERA in four September starts.

“We need to give [Perkins] a little bit of a mental break here,” Manager Ron Gardenhire said.

(*) Brian Buscher, who jammed his left thumb Wednesday, said he hopes to be available to pinch hit tonight.

Twins (83-70)

1. Denard Span, RF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Morneau, 1B
5. Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Matt Tolbert, 3B
8. Nick Punto, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (10-9, 3.89 ERA)

Rays (90-61)

1. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
2. Jason Bartlett, SS
3. Carlos Pena, 1B
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Cliff Floyd, DH
6. Dioner Navarro, C
7. Gabe Gross, RF
8. Eric Hinske, LF
9. Fernando Perez, CF

Starting pitcher: RH Edwin Jackson (11-11, 4.33)

Tropicana Field. First pitch: 6:10 p.m.

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