SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (OAKLAND-MINNESOTA) MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- LaTroy Hawkins attempts to avoid becoming the second seven-game loser in the majors tonight when he pitches for the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. Hawkins (1-6, 9.00 ERA) has lost his last four decisions and is winless in five starts since his lone victory at Kansas City on April 19. Hawkins gave up five runs over seven innings and did not have a decision at Oakland on Saturday. If Hawkins loses tonight, he would join teammate Mike Lincoln as the only pitchers with seven losses. The struggling Twins have matched a season-high six-game losing streak and own the worst record in the American League, one game behind Baltimore. Minnesota also dropped six straight games from May 5-10. Oakland had a six-game winning streak before running into Kansas City in its last series. The A's suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the Royals and were outscored, 34-7. Jimmy Haynes (2-5, 6.14) looks to baffle the Twins for the second time in less than a week when he starts for Oakland. Haynes stopped a four-start winless on Sunday, limiting Minnesota to just two runs and three hits over seven innings in a 4-2 victory. Oakland swept three games from the Twins last weekend. -=-=- 