With four starting pitchers on the disabled list, the Los Angeles Angels didn’t have the option of sending Hector Santiago to triple A to right himself as they did in May 2014, when the left-hander struggled in his first season in Anaheim.
So, despite a five-game stretch in which he was 0-2 with a 12.18 earned-run average, Santiago got another chance Wednesday night to prove he belongs.
He made the most of it, allowing one run and two hits in six superb innings to help the Angels defeat the lowly Minnesota Twins, 10-2. Santiago, who failed to complete three innings in three of his last five starts, earned his first victory since May 15. C.J. Cron had three hits and drove in three runs, Jett Bandy knocked in three runs, and Jefry Marte had two RBIs, as the Angels produced their first two-game winning streak this month.
Though a demotion did not appear imminent, it was still a pivotal start for Santiago, who needs to pitch more consistently for the Angels to have any chance of getting back into playoff contention.
“No doubt, he’s had some rough starts, but he’s also had some of the best starts we’ve had all year,” manager Mike Scioscia said before the game.
“Hopefully, he’ll find a balance. Hopefully he’s made some adjustments and will get through some of the rough spots he’s had and come out on the other end a better pitcher.”
Santiago’s fastball touched 95 mph in recent starts, but his approach Wednesday seemed to be to try a little easier. He took a little off his fastball in key situations, leading to a delivery that seemed smoother, less laboured, and produced better command.
With a runner on second, one out in the fourth inning and the game still scoreless, Santiago pinpointed a 91-mph fastball on the inside corner at the knees of Robbie Grossman, who took strike three. Santiago whiffed cleanup batter Trevor Plouffe twice with 93-mph fastballs, once looking and once swinging, and he located a 92-mph at the knees of Joe Mauer for a called third strike in the sixth.
The Angels broke open a one-run game with five runs in the fifth, a rally that featured two clutch hits, one bases-loaded walk and a play that could find its way to a blooper reel.
Yunel Escobar led off with a double. Kole Calhoun flied to right and Mike Trout was intentionally walked. Albert Pujols chopped a grounder to the shortstop hole, but Trout beat the throw to second to load the bases.
Cron hit an RBI single to center for a 3-1 lead. Marte was walked by reliever Taylor Rogers to force in a run. Johnny Giavotella struck out, but Twins right fielder Max Kepler overran Bandy’s fly ball, the ball dropping behind him for a two-run single and a 6-1 lead.
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons, in his first game back after a five-week absence because of left-thumb surgery, squirted an RBI single to right field for a 7-1 lead. The Angels tacked on three more runs in the sixth on Pujols’ RBI single and Cron’s two-run double.
The Angels took a 2-0 lead with a pair of unearned runs in the fourth, Trout reaching on an error and Cron singling.
Marte, whose strong bat has forced the Angels to find a spot for him – left field the last two nights, a position he had never played – hit an RBI single. Giavotella singled to center to load the bases, and Bandy hit an RBI fielder’s-choice grounder for a 2-0 lead.
A pair of Santiago walks fuelled a Twins rally in the fifth inning, with Kurt Suzuki driving in a run with a soft single to center to make it 2-1. But Simmons helped thwart it with his glove and arm.
With two on, Byron Buxton ripped a one-hopper to the right of Simmons, who made a lunging, backhand grab and, from one knee and his body facing third base, made a twisting throw to second for a force out. Simmons then charged Nunez’s slow roller and made a strong throw to first for the final out.

RESULTS
Toronto     11     Philadelphia     3
Chicago Cubs     4     Washington     3
Baltimore     3     Boston     2
Cincinnati     3     Atlanta     1
Pittsburgh     4     NY Mets     0
Tampa Bay     8     Seattle     7
Detroit     11     Chicago White Sox     8
Kansas City     3     Cleveland     2
Houston     5     St. Louis     2
Colorado     13     NY Yankees     10
LA Dodgers     7     Arizona     4
LA Angels     5     Minnesota     4
Texas     10     Oakland     6
Miami     5     San Diego     2
San Francisco     3     Milwaukee     2