(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins are set to collide tonight in the second of a three-game series at the Metrodome.

Detroit, picked by many to walk away with the American League crown after acquiring Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, lost its first seven games of the season to dig itself an early hole. The club was starting to catch fire, having won eight of its last 10 heading into this series, but Minnesota rolled to an 11-1 victory in the opener last night.

Livan Hernandez shut down the suddenly resurgent Tigers lineup with seven innings of one-run ball, and Minnesota exploded for 16 hits en route to an impressive 11-1 win.

Hernandez (4-1), coming off a seven-run shelling in 2 2/3 innings in his last start, scattered eight hits and two walks as the Twins won their third consecutive game. He also struck out four while using a variety of off-speed pitches in his first victory since April 11.

Brendan Harris hit a solo home run for the victors. as five Twins recorded multi-hit games. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer each scored twice and drove in a pair.

Carlos Gomez scored twice and stole two bases, but left the game early when Tigers' catcher Ivan Rodriguez's throw on his second steal attempt hit him in the helmet. He stayed on the ground for several minutes before making his way to his feet and being carted off the field.

Armando Galarraga (2-1) took the loss, allowing four runs -- two earned -- on six hits in six innings. Magglio Ordonez nailed a solo shot in his 2-for-3 effort at the plate, accounting for the Tigers' only run.

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, who was 1-for-4 at the plate, extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

The Twins activated Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list before the game. Everett scored and hit a double in his first game back.

Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire missed Friday's game due to the death of his older brother, Mike Gardenhire, on Thursday. He will miss the remainder of the series as he left the team to be with his family in his hometown of Okmulgee, OK.

One of the reasons that Detroit has been arguably baseball's most disappointing team thus far is that ace hurler Justin Verlander has struggled mightily. It is hard to believe that the righty is just 1-4 with a 6.50 ERA, as he is clearly off to the worst start of his three-year career. He permitted six earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings of work against the Angels on Sunday.

Verlander is 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA in six all-time starts against Minnesota.

Opposing Verlander today will be Minnesota's Scott Baker, who had held 12 consecutive opponents to three runs or fewer before being roughed up a bit by Texas last time out. Baker left that contest with a groin strain, so he will be monitored closely right up until game time.

This game marks Baker's second scheduled start of the season against Detroit, as he allowed three runs over seven innings in the first meeting.

Detroit swept a two-game series at home versus Minnesota in mid-April and has won 11 of its last 13 versus the Twins. The Tigers lead the series 25-15 since the start of the 2006 season.