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Santana seeks 16th straight win in Metrodome

Sep 26, 2006 - 2:12 PM Kansas City (58-98) at Minnesota (93-63) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Thanks in part to another outstanding season by Johan Santana, the Minnesota Twins are headed to the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

One day after securing a postseason berth with a victory here, the Twins will have their ace gunning for a 16th consecutive home win Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.

An 8-1 triumph in Monday's opener of this four-game series coupled with a loss by the Chicago White Sox clinched a postseason appearance for Minnesota. Reigning co-American League Player of the Week Torii Hunter belted a two-run homer and league Most Valuable Player candidate Justin Morneau added a three-run blast for the Twins, who trail Detroit by one game in the chase for the AL Central title.

A favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award for the second time in three years, Santana (18-6, 2.79 ERA) has helped Minnesota post a major league-best 51-24 home mark by going 11-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 16 starts here this year. The lefthander has sported a mark of 15-0 with a 1.81 ERA in his last 21 starts in the Metrodome dating to last August.

Santana was 9-0 following the All-Star break before allowing four runs and six hits in five innings of a 6-0 loss at Boston on Thursday. It was Minnesota's second straight setback in a game started by Santana after winning each of the 12 previous contests in which he pitched.

In his last start against the Royals here on August 31, Santana allowed one run and five hits in seven innings of a 3-1 win. He has gone 10-3 with a 3.71 ERA in 27 lifetime appearances - 16 starts - vs. Kansas City.

Looking to break a seven-game skid, the Royals give the ball to Odalis Perez (2-4, 5.28). The lefthander has gone 0-1 with a 10.61 ERA in two lifetime starts against the Twins.