Twins 3, Royals 2

Johan Santana (W 19-6, 2.77 ERA) finally earned his 19th win Tuesday night against the Royals, in what was his last regular season start for the Twins, this year. Pitching eight full innings, he allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, walking no one and striking out five.

After two scoreless innings of work, Angel Sanchez led off the third with a base hit. David DeJesus then hit a ground-rule double that kept Sanchez from scoring, but Esteban German delivered a soft liner to center, bringing everyone home.

Lew "Put me in Coach" Ford (2 for 4) answered for Minnesota with a solo shot (4) in the bottom of the frame to cut KC's lead in half, but the inning ended with three ground outs.

Odalis Perez (5.91 ERA) held the Twins to 1 run on 4 hits until the sixth when they got three straight singles from Mike Redmond (3 for 4), Michael Cuddyer (1 for 4) and Justin Morneau (2 for 4) before Torii Hunter hit a sac fly to short center, scoring Redmond on a sweet head first slide. Phil Nevin (0 for 1, BB) was then intentionally walked to re-load the bags, but the Twins left them full with a Ford fly-out and a Jason Bartlett (1 for 4) line-out.

With Joel Peralta (L 1-3, 4.52 ERA) in for relief in the eighth, Morneau and Hunter each singled to start the inning. After a passed ball by catcher Paul Phillips with Luis Rodriguez at the plate (pinch-hitting for Nevin), both runners advance and L-Rod hit a sac fly to deep center, scoring the go-ahead run in Torii and essentially winning the game for the Twins.

But, it ain't over 'til the fat lady, she sings, says Automatic Joe (1.63 ERA). Man, did he have to work for his 36th save. Emil Brown walked to start off the inning. Angel Berroa reached on the force attempt when Joe overthrew the ball to Bartlett, trying to field the bunt. Error on Joe, go-ahead run at second, nobody out.

Oh, but it gets better. Phillips then bunted the runners over on a sacrifice, leaving first base open. Nathan then intentionally walked the pinch-hitting Shane Costa to fill first base and get to Sanchez, who was 2 for 3 on the evening against Johan in only his eighth Major League at bat. Got him swinging. Two down, DeJesus at the plate, got him swinging, the Dome goes nuts, Twins win. That's just how Joe rolls.

Minnesota wins their 94th game of the year by one run, and remains one game behind Detroit as they defeated Toronto 4-3. New York stays one game better as well, beating Baltimore 5-4.

VS.

Carlos Silva (10-14, 5.95 ERA) takes the hill for game three Wednesday night, facing Mark Redman (10-10, 5.83 ERA) and the Royals. In Silva's last start versus KC on August 5th, he pitched six decent innings, allowing 3 runs on 10 hits, striking out one and gaining the win. Redman won his last start at the Metrodome on the 29th of August, pitching a complete game, five-hit, 2-0 shutout. Yeah, that sucked.

Batting Title Race: Joe Mauer had the night off, batting .349 on the year. Derek Jeter went 2-4, raising his average slightly to .341 and Robinson Cano went 2 for 4 (.343).

MVP Action for Tuesday, September 26th...

Justin Morneau: 2 for 4 | .324 avg | 129 RBI | 34 HR
Johan Santana: 19-6 | 2.77 ERA | 245 K | 233.2 IP
Derek Jeter: 2 for 4 | .341 avg | 96 RBI | 14 HR