Ervin Santana pitched into the eighth inning to earn his first victory since May 14 and the Minnesota Twins beat the New York Yankees 7-4 Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep.
Eduardo Escobar’s two-run triple keyed a four-run sixth inning as the Twins snapped a five-game losing streak. Max Kepler and Brian Dozier homered and Brandon Kintzler got the final four outs for his second save in as many chances.
Brain McCann homered twice and Alex Rodriguez had an RBI single for the Yankees. Nathan Eovaldi (6-4) lost his second straight start.
Santana (2-7) looked nothing like the pitcher that was 0-5 with a 7.71 ERA in his last five starts, scattering six hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out four and did not walk anyone for a career-best third straight game. New York did not send more than four men to the plate in any of Santana’s first seven innings.
