MLB Nightly 9: Ervin Santana, fresh off PED suspension, returns to form in Twins debut

Gabrielle McMillen

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MLB Nightly 9: Ervin Santana, fresh off PED suspension, returns to form in Twins debut image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.  

Ervin Santana's return from his 80-game PED suspension came and went without much fanfare.

The 32-year-old starting pitcher made his Twins regular-season debut Sunday, allowing two runs with eight strikeouts over eight innings in a 3-2 walkoff loss to the Royals. Santana, who signed with Minnesota in the offseason for $54 million, resembled his old self in the hard-luck no-decision. He topped out around 96 mph on his fastball and threw 93 pitches, walking three and giving up three hits.

Maybe he can even help the second-place Twins keep pace in the American League Central.

Elsewhere, the Angels swept the Astros in Houston, exploding for 12 runs in another offensive outburst. In the series against the Astros, the Angels scored 32 times and have 15 or more hits in three consecutive games, tying their franchise record.

Here are more highlights from Sunday's games:

Impact players:

C — Ryan Hanigan, Red Sox: Hanigan had an ideal day, going 3 for 3 at the plate with a walk. He had a pair of two-out RBI singles that gave the Red Sox the 3-1 win.

1B —  C.J. Cron, Angels: One game after driving in six runs, Cron was at it again. This time, he went 4 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI.

2B — Wilmer Flores, Mets: Flores went 4 for 5 with a run scored and three RBIs in a big win against the Dodgers.

SS — Carlos Correa, Astros: In a losing effort, Correa went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and a stolen base.

3B — Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox: "Panda" went 3 for 4 with two runs scored in a win against the Astros.

OF — Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: CarGo took a step in the right direction with a 3-for-4 effort. He hit a home run, scored two runs and had two RBIs in a win against the Diamondbacks. 

DH — Albert Pujols, Angels: Pujols was 2 for 5 with a homer and an RBI single for the Angels, which was the icing on the cake in their dominant win.

SP — Cole Hamels, Phillies: Hamels continued to impress suitors with yet another strong start. He pitched seven shutout innings, while fanning six against the Braves.

Key injuries:

Steven Souza Jr. left the Rays game against the Yankees with a bruised right hand after he was hit by a pitch.

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez left the game with a right-hand contusion after he was hit by a Steven Matz 95-mph fastball.

Surprise performers:

Good: Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana returned to the mound for the first time since being handed an 80-game suspension for PED use. He dealt eight innings, allowing just two runs and striking out eight against the Royals.

Bad: White Sox reliever Dan Jennings and shortstop Carlos Sanchez had communication issues that resulted in four runs scored in the seventh for the Orioles.

Web gems:

In honor of Shark Week starting Sunday night, a shark threw out the first pitch at the White Sox-Orioles game.

Cameron Maybin uses his agility to get back on base.

Facts of the day:

The Brewers made history with their seventh straight win, going undefeated on a road trip for only the second time in franchise history.

The Blue Jays' offense posted yet another 10-plus run game on Sunday.

The Cardinals' pitching is on point this season, holding teams to two runs or fewer in 48 games.

Reactions:

"I might be running out of luck when it comes to hitting," Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn said after his first career multi-hit game. Lynn is 6 for 26 this season. "But I'll take it. That's for sure."

"Guys see guys having good at-bats and it's been contagious," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said, via MLB.com. "That's gone on up and down the lineup. It's success and then it's confidence and then it's contagious."

Off the field:

The voting results for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game were revealed Sunday, with four Royals players starting for the American League.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton might be put back on the disabled list with a possible groin strain, less than a week after he was activated.

Jaime Garcia also has a groin strain and the Cardinals have placed him on the disabled list.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was placed back on the DL, this time with an oblique strain, after being activated for only three games.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon will miss three games from Monday to Wednesday after the death of his sister.

Sunday's scores:

American League:

Rays 8, Yankees 1  
Blue Jays  10, Tigers 5
Royals 3, Twins 2
Orioles 9, White Sox 1
Red Sox 5 , Astros 4
Mariners 2, Athletics 1
Angels 12, Rangers 6

National League:

Brewers 6, Reds 1
Phillies 4, Braves 0  (10)
Cardinals 3, Padres 1
Cubs 2, Marlins 0
Mets 8, Dodgers 0
Rockies 6, Diamondbacks 4
Nationals 3, Giants 1

Interleague:

Pirates 5, Indians 3

A look ahead: (All times Eastern)

Padres (39-44) vs. Pirates (47-34), 7:05 p.m.:  A.J. Burnett (7-3, 2.05 ERA) looks to continue his impressive season against James Shields (7-3, 4.14 ERA) and the Padres. The Pirates righty has won seven of his past nine decisions and posted a 1.77 ERA over his past five outings. 

Cardinals (52-28) vs. Cubs (43-36), 8:05 p.m.: Cards righty John Lackey will be pitching against a Chicago team for the third straight start. He allowed two runs over seven innings to both the Cubs (June 26) and White Sox (July 1).

Braves (40-42) vs. Brewers (36-48), 8:10 p.m.:  Kyle Lohse (5-9, 6.24 ERA) will start for the Brewers and try to extend their winning streak to eight. He was average in his last start on July 1, allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies.

Gabrielle McMillen