Twins 3, Angels 0
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Right-hander Ervin Santana and left-hander Glen Perkins combined on a four-hit shutout and third baseman Trevor Plouffe hit a three-run homer to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in front of 36,134 at Angel Stadium.
The Twins used their first victory after the All-Star break to end a four-game losing streak and the Angels' stretch of seven consecutive wins.
Santana (2-0), who spent his first eight seasons with the Angels, conceded only four hits and a hit batter while striking out seven. He generated 12 consecutive outs between the second and sixth innings and retired 19 of the final 21 batters he faced.
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 last appearance Saturday night, retired the first 11 Twins he faced before Minnesota took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth.
First baseman Joe Mauer became the Twins' 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, a three-run drive.
Until Mauer's double, Richards had retired 26 successive batters in two games.
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. But 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.
NOTES: Minnesota RHP Ervin Santana made his second career start 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. He took the loss. ... Twins LHP Glen Perkins needs one save to pass Eddie Guardado and take over third place on the team's all-time list. Perkins entered Thursday with 116 saves. ... Los Angeles placed 3B David Freese on the disabled list with a broken index finger on his right hand 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 DH on Wednesday. Trout missed his first game of the season Tuesday night because of a sore left heel.