(Sports Network) -- The Minnesota Twins wrap up a three-city road trip with this afternoon's rubber match of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Although Minnesota has had its share of troubles as the visitor this season, the team has gone 5-3 so far on this nine-game trek following Tuesday's 2-1 edging of the Royals. The Twins had posted interleague series wins in Milwaukee and St. Louis, the top two clubs in the NL Central, prior to this set.

Justin Morneau continued his hot hitting in Tuesday's triumph, as the Minnesota first baseman homered for a third straight game. The Twins also received outstanding work from the bullpen, with four relievers combining to hold the Royals scoreless over the final four innings.

Minnesota starter Scott Baker (6-6) labored through 111 pitches over the first five innings, but yielded just one run on five hits to post his fourth straight winning decision.

"Sometimes you're going to have nights like [Tuesday] where it's just a constant grind," said Baker. "Basically you'll stay on top of things and do the best you can."

Brian Bannister (5-6) suffered a tough-luck defeat for Kansas City, with the right-hander allowing just two runs -- one earned -- and striking out six over seven innings.

Mike Jacobs finished 2-for-3 and knocked in the lone run for the Royals, who had a two-game win streak halted.

Kansas City will attempt to get back on track today behind Gil Meche, while the veteran pitcher will be out to turn around a rough recent stretch.

Meche had been considered a question mark to make this start because of a tired arm issue that has affected his performances over his last two outings. After being roughed up for nine runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings of a June 21 loss to St. Louis, the right-hander allowed two runs and a pair of homers through five frames in Friday's 5-3 setback at Pittsburgh.

Those two subpar starts immediately followed a four-hit shutout against Arizona on June 16 in which Meche threw 132 pitches.

The Louisiana native, who is just 1-4 with a 6.12 ERA in eight Kauffman Stadium starts this season, does sport an 8-5 record with a 4.62 ERA in 17 career appearances against Minnesota. Meche defeated the Twins at the Metrodome on May 3 despite being reached for four runs in six innings.

Glen Perkins will oppose Meche this afternoon and will be making his fourth start since being activated from a month-long stint on the disabled list. The Minnesota left-hander has pitched well in his return, having compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.15 ERA and working at least six innings in all three mound trips.

Perkins had one of the best showings of the season Friday in St. Louis, where the former University of Minnesota standout held the Cardinals to a run and four hits over seven innings in leading the Twins to a 3-1 win.

The 26-year-old faced the Royals back on May 2 and was reached for five runs and 10 hits in a six-inning no-decision. For his career, Perkins has no record and a 4.40 ERA over two starts and three relief appearances against Kansas City.

Minnesota won seven of nine clashes with the Royals at Kauffman Stadium last season, taking all three series between the AL Central members as the visiting team. Kansas City did take two of three meetings with the Twins at the Metrodome back in May, however.