MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – If the Minnesota Twins can make the playoffs, Ervin Santana won’t be allowed to participate.
He’s been throwing well enough for them to get there, at least.
Santana pitched strong into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks and Brian Dozier each had two hits and an RBI from the top two spots in the lineup, and the Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 Tuesday to start a critical series between the American League wild card chasers.
“I feel good. I didn’t have my best stuff, but it was a good fight,” said Santana, whose positive test for a performance-enhancing drug kept him out of the first 80 games, a punishment including a postseason ban.
The Twins (77-73) moved within two games of Houston (80-72) for the second AL wild card spot. The Indians (74-75) are two slots behind the Twins, with Los Angeles (77-75) in between. The Angels beat the Astros Tuesday in Houston.