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SCOUTING REPORT: An abundance of injuries and a lack of depth appear to be catching up with the Twins.
They lost two of three to the Devil Rays last week at Tropicana Field, and the first two games of a weekend series at Kansas City, making for a rough week against the two worst teams in the AL.
The problem has been a lack of offense, with a team batting average of .233 in the six-game trip.
Third baseman Corey Koskie came back last week, and rookie catcher Joe Mauer could return this week. Leftfielder Shannon Stewart, second baseman Luis Rivas and starter Joe Mays, still are out.
The Twins should fare better at the Metrodome, where they are 14-8, and where the Rays, who are the worst road team in the majors at 3-17, have lost seven straight, dating to Aug. 19, 2001. The Twins still are getting used to their new FieldTurf, which has played slower than the version at the Trop.
CONNECTIONS: Twins ace Brad Radke is a Tampa Jesuit graduate and Largo resident. ... Rays pitcher Paul Abbott started his career with the Twins.
SEASON SERIES: The Rays snapped what had been a two-plus year losing streak against Minnesota. The Twins lead the overall series 29-25 and are 16-10 at home.