Johan Santana... YO-han!

(Johan) Santana set a franchise record with 17 strikeouts in eight innings to lead the Minnesota Twins past the Texas Rangers 1-0 Sunday.
...

Santana's 17 strikeouts were the most in the majors since Ben Sheets fanned 18 in Milwaukee's 4-1 win over Atlanta on May 16, 2004, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He broke the Minnesota record of 15, accomplished four times — the last by Bert Blyleven on Aug. 1, 1986, against Oakland.

"Somehow I'll always remember this game," said Michael Cuddyer, who homered for the lone run.

Catcher Mike Redmond said Santana (13-9) did not shake him off once.

"I've had a handful of opportunities to catch a no-hitter. I've had a couple of one-hitters and a few two-hitters," he said. "When I walked off the field in the second inning I thought 'This could be it. This guy's got some amazing stuff today.' ... He was unbelievable. He executed all day."

Santana retired the first 12 batters he faced before Sammy Sosa led off the fifth with a single to left-center. Sosa also doubled with two outs in the seventh for Texas' only other hit against the left-hander.

"I didn't try to do anything different, I was just trying to stay aggressive, get ahead in the count and throw my fastball for strikes," Santana said.
...
Minnesota's 19 strikeouts for the game were also a team record. The previous mark was 18, last set May 22 at Texas. Santana had 13 Ks in that win.
...
Minnesota has scored just four runs in its last five games at the Metrodome, three of them wins.
...

"Our offense carried us. We scored a run," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said with a smile.
...

"He's got such great arm action with everything, so it is tough to lay off of it," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "The only thing you can do is sit on the changeup, and if he throws you three straight fastballs, you're screwed. You've more or less got to do guesswork on him."

Santana struck out six of the last seven batters he faced, including a 93 mph fastball he threw past Jarrod Saltalamacchia on his 112th —— and final —— pitch. He tipped his cap to the crowd as he reached the dugout.

"I felt good, but at the same time we knew in that game situation that Nathan will be the right guy to go back out there," Santana said. "He's one of the closers in the game and I trust him, just like I trust all my teammates."