MLB: Minnesota 2, Kansas City 0

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Johan Santana took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Friday night and won his eighth straight start as Minnesota blanked Kansas City, 2-0.

Santana (16-6) struck out 11 and allowed one hit over seven innings. Minnesota has won four of five and increased its lead in the AL Central to nine games over Cleveland.

Desi Relaford broke up Santana's no-hit bid with a leadoff single to left in the seventh. Joe Randa then reached on an error by Michael Cuddyer, but Santana struck out the next three batters.

Minnesota's runs came in the sixth on back-to-back homers from Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau.

Darrell May (9-16) took the loss.