 allowed a run, four hits and one walk with six strikeouts in seven innings. He went into the game leading major league starters in ERA (0.64) and opponents' batting average (.099). Santana's standout performance came at a venue that had previously frustrated him. In 17 previous starts at Globe Life Park, he was 6-7 with a 6.93 ERA. Kennys Vargas also homered for Minnesota, his first since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester last Sunday. Both homers came off Andrew Cashner (0-2), who labored through his four-plus innings. He matched a career high with six walks, allowed five hits, had a wild pitch and threw 92 pitches. Texas' Joey Gallo hit a solo homer in the fifth, his team-leading seventh of the season and fifth in the last seven games. Cashner was chased by Sano's home run, his fifth of the season, on an 0-2 curve ball launched into the second deck down the left field line. It was the 21st homer hit in that area in Globe Life Park's 24 seasons. Sano also had two singles. After Anthony Bass replaced Cashner, the next six Twins reached on three doubles, two singles and an infield error. Cashner has pitched 15 1/3 innings this season, and Texas has yet to score for him. His three opposing starters all rank in the AL's top eight in ERA. SHORT HOPSTwo Rangers baserunners were thrown out trying to advance on pitches that got away from Twins catcher Jason Castro. ... Shin-Soo Choo led off for Texas for the first time this season after batting second in his previous 13 starts. ... Eddie Rosario had two hits to extend his hitting streak to eight games, matching a career high. TRAINER'S ROOMTwins: LHP Ryan O'Rourke has a partially torn UCL and will have Tommy John surgery, general manager Thad Levine announced Tuesday. O'Rourke began the season on the 10-day disabled list with a strained forearm and was transferred to the 60-day DL on Monday. Rangers: RHP A. J. Griffin (gout, left ankle) will throw a second bullpen session on Wednesday. If all goes well, Griffin will probably start Friday night vs. the Angels. UP NEXTTwins: LHP Hector Santiago (2-1) has a string of three straight quality starts. He allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings in beating Detroit 6-3 last Friday. Rangers: LHP Cole Hamels (1-0) compiled season highs in innings (eight) and pitches (107) last time out, a 6-2 win over the Royals last Friday night.---More baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball)
Time: 8:05 PM EDT Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Tex., 76011 ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Twins didn't exactly light up the Texas sky with their offense in the opener of a three-game series against the Rangers, but Minnesota took advantage of the opportunities presented in finding its way back into the win column. Minnesota (9-10) won for only the second time in eight games by turning three walks in one inning into three runs with one swing of the bat, and they emerged with a 3-2 win Monday. The Twins and Rangers face off in the middle game of the series Tuesday night at Globe Life Park." We talk about quality at-bats," said Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who delivered the three-run double in the fifth inning Monday night. "Trying to find ways to create runs and taking advantage of opportunities." A team that's obviously been struggling offensively, so knowing a few runs, in a one-run ballgame, that could be the deciding difference. We're not going up trying to walk, but taking advantage." The Twins will look to take advantage of a start by their ace Tuesday. Right-hander Ervin Santana is 3-0 with a microscopic 0.64 ERA on the season, but he traditionally struggles against Texas. Despite a 13-11 career record against the Rangers, Santana owns a 5.57 ERA in 31 career starts vs. Texas. He is coming off a no-decision against the Cleveland Indians in which he allowed one run in six innings with three walks and five strikeouts. Santana leads the Minnesota staff in wins, ERA, innings pitched (28) and strikeouts (20). Texas counters with Andrew Cashner (0-1, 2.38 ERA), who is making his third start. The 30-year-old right-hander is facing the Twins for first time in his career, one of three clubs he has yet to pitch against. The Texas native is coming off his first-ever appearance at Globe Life Park. He made quite an impression on his new hometown fans by going six scoreless innings in what turned out to be a 13-inning, 1-0 walk-off win for Texas over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. Should Cashner put the Rangers in position to win again, new closer Matt Bush will be ready. Bush recorded his first save of the season Sunday, assuming the role left by a struggling and subsequently injured Sam Dyson. Bush, one of the club's top relievers last season as a rookie, doesn't see much difference in his new role." The significance is what everyone else wants to put on it," he said. "For me, it's getting three outs and helping the ballclub win, no matter what. That's what it's all about." Bush admitted there are differences having to record the final out." As the closer, you give up a run or two and you still get that save, you did your job," he said. "Certain innings it's a little bit different. You want to keep the score the way it is and allow the closer to have a little room to work with. Every inning as a relief pitcher late in the game, you want to shut it down and come into the dugout knowing you did your job that day."
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