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MLB: Minnesota 5, Oakland 3

MINNEAPOLIS, July 13 (UPI) -- Johan Santana threw seven shutout innings Friday night to win his fifth straight start and carry the Minnesota Twins to a 5-3 decision over Oakland.

Santana (11-6) gave up four hits and struck out eight. He has recorded a 1.29 ERA in his last five outings, and is 41-4 in games played after the All-Star break over the past four years.

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Luis Castillo had three hits and two RBI in helping the Twins win for the fourth time in six games.

It was Oakland's fifth consecutive loss, the Athletics' longest skid of the season.

Minnesota had a 5-0 lead going into the ninth, but Nick Swisher hit his 14th homer of the year -- a two-run shot off Juan Rincon. Joe Nathan came in and gave up a two-out, RBI double to Jason Kendall before retiring Shannon Stewart on a grounder to end the game. Nathan has 17 saves.

The loss went to Lenny DiNardo (3-6), who allowed eight hits and three runs in five innings.

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