Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Carl Pavano tossed his second straight complete game, allowing only three hits, as the Minnesota Twins handled the New York Mets, 6-0, in the second of a three-game interleague series at Citi Field.
Jason Kubel hit a solo homer and knocked in two, while Delmon Young contributed a two-run double for Minnesota, which snapped a season-high four- game slide.
Pavano (9-6) added four strike outs and one walk to his ledger in winning his fourth consecutive start. The veteran right-hander notched his third complete game of the season and 10th in his career. It also marked his sixth career shutout. He also helped himself with the bat, going 2-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt.
In his last start Sunday versus Philadelphia, Pavano allowed just a run on four hits without a walk in going the distance.
Jeff Francoeur had two of the three hits for the Mets, who won three of four coming into the contest.
Johan Santana (5-5), making his first start against his former club since being traded to New York before the 2008 season, suffered the loss for yielding five runs on eight hits with a pair of walks and four strike outs over six innings.
The left-hander won the American League Cy Young Award in 2004 and '06 while with Minnesota. In 251 games (175 starts) with the Twins from 2000-07, Santana went 93-44 with a 3.22 earned run average, however the 31-year-old is 1-3 over his last four starts this season, allowing four or more runs in each outing.
Minnesota jumped on Santana for four runs in the first. Joe Mauer got the scoring started with a run-scoring single that brought in Orlando Hudson, who reached with a one-out double. Mauer then advanced to second on a balk and Michael Cuddyer walked before Kubel's ground-rule double plated another. Young doubled into the left field gap to score two more for a 4-0 game.
Denard Span's two-out RBI double in the fourth put the Twins ahead by five. The Mets posted a two-out threat in the fifth, putting runners on first and second, but Alex Cora grounded out to end the inning.
Kubel led off the top of the ninth with a homer to right center to put the Twins up 6-0. Then in the bottom portion, Pavano completed the gem by retiring the side in order.
Minnesota has now won six of the last eight in the series...Pavano improved to 8-7 in 21 career games -- 20 starts -- against the Mets...Rod Barajas had the other hit for the Mets...Mauer went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored...The Twins finished 4-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded four, while the Mets left three.