Santana's 17 strikeouts were the most in the majors since Ben Sheets fanned 18 in Milwaukee's 4-1 win over Atlanta on May 16, 2004, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He broke the Minnesota record of 15, accomplished four times — the last by Bert Blyleven on Aug. 1, 1986, against Oakland.

Santana (13-9) retired the first 12 batters he faced before Sammy Sosa led off the fifth with a single to left-center. Sosa also doubled with two outs in the seventh for Texas' only other hit against the left-hander.

Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth for his 27th save in 29 chances. He struck out Brad Wilkerson and Michael Young with a runner on second to finish off the two-hitter.

Minnesota's 19 strikeouts for the game were also a team record. The previous mark was 18 set in a 4-3, 13-inning victory over Cleveland on June 2, 2005. Santana had 14 Ks in that win.

Michael Cuddyer hit a 425-foot home run off Kevin Millwood (8-10) in the second inning. That was Millwood's only mistake — he allowed four hits and struck out three in seven innings for Texas.

Minnesota has scored just four runs in its last five games at the Metrodome, three of them wins.

The Twins had runners at first and second with one out in the fourth and fifth innings, but Mike Redmond grounded into a double play in the fourth, and Alexi Casilla and Joe Mauer hit weak grounders to end the fifth-inning threat.

With runners on second and third in the seventh, Casilla struck out to end the inning.

Minnesota was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and is 0-for-19 in the series.

Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter each hit balls that were caught at the center-field wall.

It was the fifth time this year Santana (13-9) has reached double digits in strikeouts. He struck out 13 in a 7-1 win at Texas on May 22.