Angels 5, Twins 4: Santana’s Struggles Continue

It was a game where the two teams just kept inching along. The Twins and Angels combined to score in eight different half-innings but it was a 2-run bottom of the 2nd that made the difference as the Twins lost 5-4.

Ervin Santana started for the Twins and never looked sharp during his outing. The only inning he held the Angels scoreless was the 4th as the Angels went with the “death by papercuts” approach. An RBI single from Albert Pujols in the 1st (though Byron Buxton gunned down Mike Trout at home plate to prevent a second run), a 2-run homer from Johnny Giavotella in the 2nd, a solo homer from Kole Calhoun in the 3rd, and an RBI double from Calhoun in the 5th was what it took to sink the Twins.

As for the offense, the Twins tried a similar strategy but just couldn’t muster enough to beat the Angels. RBI singles from Juan Centeno and Trevor Plouffe in the 2nd and 3rd innings, respectively, a soft liner from Joe Mauer that left fielder Jefry Marte hilariously turned into an RBI triple, and an RBI double from Byron Buxton was how the offense contributed, but five Angels relievers combined to hurl four scoreless innings, holding the Twins just short of a victory.

WP: Jhoulys Chacin (3-4)

LP: Ervin Santana (1-7)

S: Huston Street (7)

Studs

Robbie Grossman (2-for-4, BB, 2 R), Joe Mauer (2-for-5, 3B, RBI), Juan Centeno (2-for-4, RBI)

Duds

Ervin Santana (5 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 K), Eduardo Nunez (0-for-5, K), Oswaldo Arcia (0-for-4, 2 K),