(Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins may be a prime contender for the American League Central title, but they're having a tough time against the AL's worst team as of late.

The Twins will attempt to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly Mariners when the two teams square off again this afternoon at Safeco Field.

Minnesota entered this series having won seven times in its previous nine contests, but the club has suffered back-to-back tough losses to last-place Seattle to begin this current six-game road trip. The Mariners rallied for 10 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for an 11-6 win in Monday's opener, then scored twice in the eighth to pull out an 8-7 triumph over the Twins last night.

Jose Lopez put Seattle in front with a two-run double off Minnesota closer Joe Nathan with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Twins trailed 6-3 after seven frames but put up four runs in the top of the eighth to briefly forge ahead. Jason Kubel belted a two-run homer to bring Minnesota within one, and the Twins moved in front on Mike Lamb's pinch-hit two-RBI double.

J.J. Putz (4-4) gave up Lamb's big hit but held Minnesota scoreless in the ninth to record the win.

Raul Ibanez, who had a grand slam and a club-record six RBI during the seventh inning of Monday's victory, slugged a three-run homer for Seattle and ended 3- for-5 with five RBI on Tuesday. Starting pitcher R.A. Dickey worked a solid seven innings in which he allowed three runs on eight hits.

Kubel had a solo homer earlier in the game and finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored in a losing cause.

Tuesday's setback pushed the Twins one game behind Chicago for first place in the AL Central. The White Sox defeated Detroit on Tuesday.

Minnesota turns to Nick Blackburn this afternoon in hopes of getting back on track. The rookie put together two excellent starts against Cleveland in his two most recent outings and has amassed a very solid 8-6 with a 3.56 earned run average in 22 starts this year.

In his most recent mound trip, Blackburn limited the Indians to one run and six hits over seven innings on Friday to notch his eighth win of the season.

The 26-year-old will be making his first career start against Seattle tonight. Blackburn has a 2-4 record with a 4.48 ERA in 12 road games so far in 2008.

Jarrod Washburn gets the call today for Seattle and will be trying to shake off a rough showing on Friday. The veteran lefty was tagged for six runs and nine hits over just 4 2/3 innings in a home loss to Baltimore, which dropped him to 5-10 for the year.

Washburn was excellent in his previous start, an eight-inning stint at Toronto on July 27 in which he yielded one run on four hits to get the win. He has surrendered two earned runs or less in eight of his last 10 appearances.

The 33-year-old owns a 6-5 record with a 3.46 ERA over 14 lifetime starts against the Twins.

This series marks the first 2008 meetings between the Twins and Mariners. Minnesota went 6-3 against Seattle last season and took five of the six games played at Safeco Field.