Twins lose series opener to Mariners 1-0

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Seattle's Felix Hernandez fired a five-hit shutout to lead the Mariners to a 1-0 win over the Twins in the opener of a four-game series last night at Target Field.

Hernandez struck out five and walked only one en route to improving to 13-5. Hernandez is 9-and-0 in his last 14 starts. Eric Thames clubbed a solo homer in the eighth to help Seattle stop a three-game skid. Liam Hendriks fanned six, but allowed Thames' blast to fall to 0-and-7 with the complete-game loss.

The same two teams are set for game two of the series tonight. Here are the scheduled pitching pairings for the remaining games of the four-game series between Minnesota and Seattle at Target Field (Twins pitcher listed first):

Tuesday - Scott Diamond (10-5, 3.04 ERA) vs. Hisashi Iwakuma (4-3, 3.64 ERA)

Wednesday - Samuel Deduno (4-2, 4.24 ERA) vs. Jason Vargas (13-8, 3.75 ERA)

Thursday - Brian Duensing (3-9, 5.28 ERA) vs. Blake Beavan (8-8, 5.10 ERA)

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The Mariners activated outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the 15-day disabled list on Monday and optioned outfielder Casper Wells to Triple-A Tacoma. Gutierrez has been on the DL since June 29th while recovering from a concussion. He was hit in the head on a pick-off attempt from Boston pitcher Franklin Morales on June 28th. In 13 games this season, Gutierrez batted .267 with two homers and nine RBI. Wells has appeared in 74 games for the M's this season, hitting just .226 with eight homers and 29 RBI.

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The Minnesota Twins are awaiting an official announcement but are reportedly set to host the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that official word is expected to come tomorrow and the Twins are all but assured of getting the game. Minnesota hasn't hosted the mid-summer classic since 1985.

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Former Twin and current Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is back on the disabled list. The 36-year-old designated hitter missed 35 games with a strained right Achilles before being activated from the DL on Friday. Ortiz went 2-for-4 with two RBI that night against the Kansas City Royals, but felt soreness in the Achilles afterward and did not play Saturday or Sunday. "Big Papi" is not ruling out a return this season, but wants to be cautious with the hope of avoiding surgery Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was activated off the disabled list to take Oritz's roster spot.

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