Twins: It was that kind of season

Johan Santana's final start of 2007 was shortened to three innings because of a lengthy rain delay in Detroit.

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: September 26, 2007 - 11:24 PM

DETROIT - Inside Twins circles, there have been no hints of a possible Johan Santana trade this offseason. Not even whispers that they're willing to take offers.

But if they make that unexpected move, the last start of his glorious Minnesota career will be remembered for ending too soon.

Santana made his final start of 2007 on Wednesday, and rain shortened it to three innings, jeopardizing his chances at winning a fourth consecutive American League strikeout crown.

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Twins 9-4 at Comerica Park, as the game was called in the sixth inning after a second rain delay.

Moments after the game was called, the Yankees defeated Tampa Bay, officially eliminating the Tigers from playoff contention.

It was a night for many endings, actually.

The Twins are 77-81 heading into a final four-game series with Boston, so the best they can finish is .500. This loss ended their streak of six consecutive winning seasons.

Santana left after a 78-minute rain delay, with the Twins leading 4-3 heading into the fourth inning.

"He's pitched a lot of innings," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's done what he had to do."

In some ways, it was a fitting end to Santana's frustrating season. The two-time Cy Young Award winner finished 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA.

The Twins, who struggled to score runs in so many of his 33 starts, gave him a 4-0 lead in the first inning this time, but Detroit rallied for three runs in the second inning, despite getting just one hit.

Santana walked three batters that inning, but the key play was an error by second baseman Alexi Casilla.

Nick Blackburn relieved Santana after that rain delay, and the Tigers erupted for six runs.

Santana recorded four strikeouts, raising his AL lead to 235.

Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir is second with 229, and he'll make his final start tonight against New York.

Santana had pitched at least five innings in 123 consecutive starts, but the rain spoiled that streak, too.

"Sooner or later it was going to end," Santana said. "It's too bad it had to end this way, but you can't control Mother Nature. So you just start another one this year."

The question is, for whom? The rumors have only begun.

On Wednesday, one Internet rumor began spreading that the Los Angeles Dodgers are willing to send outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw to the Twins for Santana.

Others will surely follow. Santana will be a free agent after next season, and it's expected be tough for the Twins to re-sign the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

"I don't really know what's going to happen," he said. "We'll see what they're going to do, what kind of direction they're going to take. If this was my last start as a Twin, who knows? We'll see."

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com

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