July 23--For the first time since the All-Star break, the Angels lost a game.
The Angels' winning streak was snapped at seven on Thursday in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
The offense was unable to muster much of anything with four hits, two of which were first-inning singles. The Angels averaged six runs per game during their winning streak, and the last time the team was shut out was on July 11 against the Seattle Mariners.
Minnesota got a dominant performance from starting pitcher Ervin Santana, who struck out seven batters in eight innings.
Santana didn't get much help from his teammates, sans an explosive two-out rally in the fourth inning. Joe Mauer started it with a double down the left-field line. Designated hitter Miguel Sano drew a full-count walk that set the stage for a three-run home run by third baseman Trevor Plouffe, his 13th home run for the season.
Angels starter Garrett Richards lasted eight innings before he was pulled in favor of reliever Mike Morin. Richards finished with five strikeouts, three walks (one intentional) and gave up four hits over 102 pitches.
After taking two of three against Minnesota, the Angels will start a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Friday.
