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Kubel, Santana help Twins end six-game slide

Sep 9, 2007 - 10:21 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Jason Kubel homered and drove in a season-high four runs to help the Minnesota Twins snap their six-game losing streak with Sunday's 5-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Twins ace Johan Santana (15-11) also was strong, yielding one run and five hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks in seven innings to snap his personal two-game slide.

"Santana's the story," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He pitched the way we needed him to. He's doing what he's been doing all year, giving us a chance to win baseball games."

Minnesota's Juan Rincon bridged the gap to closer Joe Nathan, who got the final three outs in the ninth for his 30th save.

Kubel's run-scoring single to center field off Chicago starter Jon Garland (9-11) tied the score at 1-1 in the third inning.

Two innings later, Nick Punto and Jason Bartlett both reached on consecutive fielder's choices before the 25-year-old Kubel smoked a 2-1 pitch by Garland into the right field stands for a three-run blast for a 4-1 lead.

"It was a little bit different, but I liked it," Kubel said about hitting in the No. 2 spot. "I just felt pretty good, that's all it is. I was able to be patient and get some good pitches to hit."

Chicago had a chance to make things interesting in the bottom of the frame when Santana walked Jim Thome to load the bases with two outs. But the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner got Paul Konerko to fly out to end the threat.

"I'm always trying to (do) good by staying aggressive and consistent in everything that I do, especially in a game like (Sunday) where we have been losing so many games," Santana said. "I'm very happy that we got this win."

In the eighth, Justin Morneau supplied some insurance as he delivered an RBI triple off the wall in left to plate Joe Mauer to make it a four-run cushion.

Garland gave up five runs - one earned - and five hits in eight frames. He struck out five and walked two.

Thome inched closer to reaching a milestone, connecting on his 498th career homer in the eighth against Rincon.

Alex Cintron opened the scoring in the second with an RBI single for Chicago, which has lost 20 of its last 27 games to guarantee the clubs first losing campaign since 1999.