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Santana stellar as Halos down White Sox

Sep 22, 2012 - 5:25 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Ervin Santana allowed one run and tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts over seven innings to guide the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Santana (9-12) gave up just two hits and walked one to pick up his first win in three starts.

Mike Trout and Kendrys Morales each stroked solo homers, while Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter each drove in a pair for the Angels, who trail the Oakland Athletics by 3 1/2 games for the final AL wild card spot.

"Great game from Ervin. He pitched a terrific game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He was able to throw his breaking ball and fastball effectively and kept them off balance."

Alejandro De Aza went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and Gordon Beckham knocked in a run for the White Sox, who lead the Detroit Tigers by 1 1/2 games in the AL Central standings.

Jake Peavy (11-12) allowed five runs on eight hits over five frames. Peavy has dropped 11 of his last 16 decisions.

"We got our rear ends kicked," Chicago manager Robin Ventura remarked. "Santana was good, we couldn't get anything off him."

De Aza led off the game with a homer over the short wall in right field, but the Angels got the run back in the second when Morales pulverized a leadoff shot deep into the right-center field bleachers.

"I got my mind past that first inning home run," Santana said. "After that I tried to keep the ball down and throw strikes. My change-up was working very good. The key for a pitcher is to throw strikes."

The Angels added a pair in both the third and fourth to take a 5-1 lead.

Chris Iannetta singled and Trout doubled to put runners at second and third before Pujols delivered a two-run single to left-center field in the third.

With the bases loaded in the fourth, Hunter ripped a single through the hole at short to score Erick Aybar and Mark Trumbo.

Trout's solo shot in the seventh put the Halos up 6-1.

Chicago scored one in the eighth when Beckham singled to center field to score Dayan Viciedo, who doubled earlier in the frame.

Game Notes

Santana has 10 career 10-plus strikeout games ... The Angels have won five of their last seven ... Peavy is 0-3 lifetime against the White Sox.