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 Santana and left-handler Glen Perkins combined on a four-hit
shutout, and third baseman Trevor Plouffe hit a three-run home run
to give the Minnesota Twins a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on
Thursday in front of 36,134 at Angel Stadium.
The Twins earned their first victory after the All-Star break,
ending a four-game losing streak and snapping the Angels' stretch of
seven consecutive wins.
"I got the big hit, but he's the reason we won," Plouffe said in
reference to Santana.
Santana, who spent his first eight seasons with the Angels, conceded
only four hits and a hit batter while striking out seven in eight
innings. He generated 12 consecutive outs between the second and
sixth innings and retired 19 of the final 21 batters he faced.
"It was sterling," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Santana's
performance. "He had a really good slider, and he mixed in a
changeup. It seemed like he was one pitch ahead of them. They were
caught in between velocity and trying to track that slider."
Santana (2-0) expressed particular satisfaction in defeating his old
team.
"It means a lot," he said with a smile. "It means I've still got it,
so that's good."
Perkins pitched a perfect ninth for his 29th save, which leads the
American League.
Los Angeles right-hander Garrett Richards, who pitched a two-hit
shutout in his previous appearance Saturday night, retired the first
11 Twins he faced before Minnesota scored the game's only runs in
the top of the fourth.
First baseman Joe Mauer became the Minnesota first baserunner when
he doubled down the left field line with two outs. After designated
hitter Miguel Sano walked, Plouffe sent a breaking pitch into
Minnesota's bullpen for his 13th home run of the season.
"On that pitch, I think he got under that slider and hung it,"
Plouffe said. "Richards is a tough guy to face. When he throws that
cutter, it's really tough to barrel up."
Until Mauer's double, Richards had retired 26 successive batters in
two games.
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The Angels had a chance to move ahead in the bottom of the first
inning. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella lined a leadoff single to
right field, then went to third base two outs later when designated
hitter Albert Pujols lined a single to center. Santana ended the
threat by striking out shortstop Erick Aybar.
Richards (10-7) induced 13 groundouts and five strikeouts in eight
innings while allowing three runs, four hits and three walks.
"We've got an incredible group, so I know it's not going to be like
that every day," Richards said about his loss. "I feel good about
where my delivery is right now and how I've been throwing the ball.
Tomorrow is another day."
NOTES: Minnesota RHP Ervin Santana made his 300th career start and
his second against his former club. Santana, who pitched for the
Angels from 2005 to 2012, last faced them in 2013 while playing for
the Kansas City Royals, when he took a loss. ... Twins LHP Glen
Perkins passed Eddie Guardado and took over third place on the
team's all-time saves list. Perkins now has 117 career saves for
Minnesota. ... Los Angeles placed 3B David Freese on the disabled
list with a broken right index finger and recalled INF Kyle Kubitza
from Triple-A Salt Lake. Freese was hit by a pitch from Twins RHP
Mike Pelfrey in the fourth inning Wednesday night. ... Angels CF
Mike Trout returned to his regular defensive position after serving
as the designated hitter Wednesday. Trout missed a game for the
first time this season Tuesday night because of a sore left heel.
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