Angels finally give Santana run support, beat Twins

Minneapolis, MN – Mike Trout went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two more driven in, as the Angels finally gave Ervin Santana some run support in their 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.

The Angels did not score for Santana over his previous five starts and had pushed just two runs across when he's been on the mound this season.

But a 14-hit attack, including a two-hit, two-RBI effort from Albert Pujols, propelled Santana (1-6) to his first win after he allowed two runs on six hits over 7 1/3 innings.

"We haven't been getting him much support," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said about Santana. "He battled a little bit tonight with command early, but he pitched deep into the game and he did a good job pitching with the lead."

Carl Pavano (2-3) lasted just four-plus innings for the Twins, getting touched for five runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits.

"I wasn't able to [execute] consistently and they got to me," Pavano said.

Minnesota, currently in a 2-7 funk, scored in the fifth on Danny Valencia's RBI groundout and again in the sixth on Josh Willingham's solo homer.

The Angels, shut out in middle test of this three-game series, put up three runs in the third inning to take control.

Trout doubled off the left-field wall to knock in Erick Aybar, then scored on Pujols' base hit to left. A Joe Mauer throwing error plated the third run.

Run-scoring hits by Alberto Callaspo and Pujols in the fifth made it 5-0, and Trout added another RBI single an inning later off Alex Burnett.

Game Notes

The Angels won the season series, 6-3...Minnesota went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while the Angles went 7-for-14 with RISP...Santana had been 0-9 in 10 starts dating back to September 6, 2011...After the game, Valencia was optioned to Triple-A Rochester and Twins pitcher Matt Maloney was designated for assignment. To fill the roster spots, Minnesota recalled outfielder Darin Mastroianni from Rochester and selected the contract of right-hander P.J. Walters.