Santana Strikes Out 17 to Down Texas

Minnesota All-Star sets team record in 1-0 win over Rangers
By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User
Posted Aug 20, 2007 2:17 AM CDT
Santana Strikes Out 17 to Down Texas
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Johan Santana throws during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, in Minneapolis. Santana set a career and team record with 17 strikeouts as the Twins won 1-0. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)   (Associated Press)

Twins ace Johan Santana struck out a franchise-record 17 batters to lead Minnesota past the Rangers 1-0 yesterday. Santana, who was perfect for the first half of his eight-inning outing, got all the offense he needed with a solo shot from teammate Michael Cuddyer. The game was otherwise momentous for the Twins, who climbed to 8 back in the American League Wildcard race.

With 20 apiece, only Roger Clemens and Kerry Woods have fanned more in nine innings, and Santana's 17 is the best K-count in Major League Baseball since Ben Sheets posted 18 in 2004. On a night when Minnesota honored its 1987 championship team, Santana, 28, was realistic about his struggling squad this year. "We still have a long way to go," he said. (More Johan Santana stories.)

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