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CHC@MIN: Liriano strikes out six over 5 2/3 innings

When the Brewers and Twins meet for their second Interleague series of the season this weekend, they'll do so with the use of a designated hitter, as the three games are set to be played at Minnesota's Target Field.

And Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke is entirely fine with a second straight series in an American League ballpark, considering three of his best hitters are battling nagging injuries.

Left fielder Ryan Braun has been dealing with a tight right Achilles since early May, third baseman Aramis Ramirez is working his way back after a left quad strain, and outfielder and first baseman Corey Hart has swelling in his surgically repaired right knee.

Braun was in the DH spot on Thursday against the Royals, but the other two middle-of-the-order players could play a game or two there against the Twins this weekend.

"I really haven't said much, because it's easy to make excuses [about] what's going on with the injuries," Roenicke said. "There was a point where I had five guys on the bench, and one of them I could use. It's just ... it's there's so much that I really don't like to talk about. They're beat up, they are. That's why I think the DH here for these six games, it will be good."

Minnesota took two of three from Milwaukee at Miller Park in mid-May, and the Brewers will look to avoid losing back-to-back series after getting swept by Kansas City.

Trevor Plouffe was the hero in the second game of the last series between the two teams, hitting a solo home run in the 11th inning to give the Twins a 5-4 win. Going into the weekend, Plouffe has been scorching hot. Against the Phillies on Thursday, Plouffe homered in the second inning, giving him seven in his last 11 games. Heading into Thursday's game, his .950 slugging percentage was the best in MLB this month.

Plouffe's hot streak has coincided with him finding a home at third base. Having played at six different positions this year, his defense at third is improving, and sticking at one spot might make it easier for him to focus at the plate.

"He's working pretty hard at it," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "When you work like that, eventually it's going to come to you. He's catching the ball, moves around pretty good. He's confident that he's actually staying at one position. We haven't moved him around too much. That's got to help him a little bit. Hopefully, that will continue, because he's hitting the ball, and he's catching the ball over there, and that's a place we need some offense from him."

Twins: Liriano to make fourth start since return to rotation
• After making five appearances out of the bullpen, Minnesota's Francisco Liriano will make his fourth start since rejoining the rotation on Friday.

The left-hander is 1-2 in his last three starts, including a June 10 loss against the Cubs when he gave up four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He lasted six innings in each of the previous two starts, surrendering just one earned run and seven hits combined in those games. In one inning against the Brewers on May 18, Liriano gave up two hits and no earned runs to close out the Twins' 11-3 win.

"The last two starts, he's had good success and confidence with what he's doing," said catcher Drew Butera, who caught Liriano's last start. "So I think once you gain some of that, he picked up the pace and continued with that."

Brewers: Axford blows second straight save
• One night after blowing his second save of the season against the Royals, Brewers closer John Axford gave up another ninth-inning lead on Thursday, allowing two runs to give Kansas City a 4-3 win and a three-game sweep.

Axford has three blown saves on the year, one more than he had all of last season.

Axford said he needs more command on his fastball, which is moving more than it has in the past. In Thursday's loss, he threw 13 strikes in 22 pitches.

"In all honesty, it may be me trying to do too much out there on the mound instead of just throwing it through the glove to the catcher," Axford said. "Maybe [I was] nibbling a little too much."

• After starting the season 2-4, Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo will look for his fourth win his last five starts on Friday. The right-hander has gone at least six innings in each of his last eight appearances.

On June 10, in a 6-5 win over the Padres, Gallardo allowed one earned run on five hits in seven innings. In his only loss during his last four starts, Gallardo struck out 10, but allowed five earned runs against the Cubs.

Worth noting
• With his 16th home run of the year on Thursday, Braun extended his Interleague hit streak to 19 games, the longest active streak of its kind in the Majors. It's also the longest Interleague streak in Brewers history.

• With his 0-for-4 night at the plate on Thursday, Twins outfielder Josh Willingham's 15-game hit streak came to an end.

• The Twins have hit nine home runs in six games on their homestand.

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