Minneapolis ? The Minnesota Twins used a strong intradivision record to win the last two AL Central titles, and there was nobody they beat more often than the Detroit Tigers.

Despite dropping two of three to the Twins this week, the Tigers are 9-7 overall and won’t be a sure victory anymore.

Fill-in Lew Ford kept up his strong hitting with a three-run homer, Johan Santana picked up his first victory and the Twins edged the Tigers, 4-3, Thursday afternoon.

“That’s what we’re after — trying to win series,” Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Brandon Inge went 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and a homer for the Tigers, who lost 119 games last year.

Minnesota is 47-15 against Detroit since 2001, but the teams have split six games this month.

“It’s going to be a close race,” Inge said. “I think that they’re only going to get better.”

The Twins feel the same way about the Tigers.

By adding Carlos Guillen, Ivan Rodriguez, Rondell White and Fernando Vina, Detroit has significantly upgraded its lineup.

Santana (1-0) was impressed. He gave up three runs, three walks and seven hits while striking out six in his best outing this year. He loaded the bases in the second, but got out of the jam by striking out Omar Infante to end the inning.

“They give you a good challenge,” said Santana, who put the first two runners on in three of his six innings. “They’re going to make you throw a lot of pitches.”

Ford had two hits and now has a team-high 15 RBIs since his call-up April 10.

White Sox 4, Yankees 3

Chicago — Joe Crede homered and Chicago sent Mike Mussina to his fourth loss in five starts. Mussina (1-4) yielded three first-inning runs and then settled down before Crede — hitting just .184 entering the game — lifted his second homer to left in the sixth to make it 4-2.

Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 3

Toronto — Chris Gomez hit a tiebreaking grand slam off Curt Schilling in the eighth inning to give Toronto its first home win. Gomez drove in five runs for the Blue Jays, 1-8 at home. Gomez hit his first career slam after Schilling (2-1) allowed singles to Carlos Delgado and Eric Hinske and walked Orlando Hudson.

Orioles 7, Devil Rays 6

Baltimore — Rafael Palmeiro hit a home run, and Miguel Tejada had a season-high three RBIs, leading Baltimore to a comeback victory over Tampa Bay. Baltimore trailed 6-4 in the sixth inning before rallying for its sixth win in seven games. Tejada, who came in with five RBIs in his first 13 games with the Orioles, hit a two-run single in the fourth and singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh.

Athletics 8, Mariners 2

Seattle — Eric Chavez hit a three-run homer and Mark Mulder worked six strong innings, leading Oakland to a split of the four-game series. Mark Kotsay led off the game with a double to the right-field corner, Eric Byrnes singled to right and Chavez drove a 1-2 pitch from Jamie Moyer over the wall in right.

Angels 7, Rangers 5

Anaheim, Calif. — Troy Glaus hit a three-run homer, Jeff DaVanon also homered and Anaheim ended a three-game losing streak.