Minneapolis ? Johan Santana just keeps getting better, progressing deeper into his personal zone of pitching dominance.

Santana won his 11th straight start with another stellar performance, striking out a career high 14 in eight shutout innings for the Minnesota Twins in a 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

By winning his 12th consecutive decision, Santana (19-6) tied a Twins record set by Scott Erickson in 1991 and matched by Brad Radke in 1997.

“When he’s out there, it’s unbelievable,” Radke said.

Santana struck out five of his last six batters, jubilantly jumping off the mound after Tim Raines Jr. went down swinging to end the eighth. He allowed seven hits and didn’t walk a batter, extending his scoreless inning streak to 30.

“That’s amazing, man,” catcher Henry Blanco said.

Michael Restovich hit a two-run homer, and Luis Rivas and Blanco each had solo shots for the Twins, who can clinch their third straight AL Central title with a victory over the White Sox today in the opener of a three-game series at Chicago.

“I’m just doing my job,” Santana said. “I’m happy to be in this situation.”

Bruce Chen (1-1) stayed with Santana for a while, but four of the six hits he allowed were homers — by Rivas in the third, Blanco in the sixth and Restovich in the seventh.

“There was nothing I could do,” Chen said. “I tried to keep up with him, but he outpitched me.”

Minnesota pitcher Johan Santana jumps off the mound in jubilation after striking out Baltimore's Tim Raines Jr. to end the eighth inning. Santana pitched eight shutout innings and struck out 14, helping the Twins beat the Orioles, 5-1, Sunday in Minneapolis.

Baltimore had its chances. Raines hit a one-out double in the first, but he was thrown out at third on perfect throws by center fielder Lew Ford and shortstop Cristian Guzman.

“He’s the best pitcher I’ve faced this year,” Raines said.

Miguel Tejada — the only Orioles starter who didn’t strike out — led off the second with an infield single, but he was erased when B.J. Surhoff grounded into a double play. Larry Bigbie singled with one out in the third, but Santana struck out Brian Roberts and Raines to end it.

“With a guy like him, there is no plan,” Tejada said. “You just try to touch the ball. He can get you out on any pitch.”

Yankees 11, Red Sox 1

New York — Gary Sheffield, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada homered off an ineffective Pedro Martinez, and Mike Mussina gave the resilient Yankees another excellent outing.

Mussina (12-9) allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings, winning his third straight start since losing a career-worst five consecutive decisions. Martinez (16-7) lasted only five-plus innings and allowed eight runs, matching a season worst.

Athletics 2, Mariners 1

Seattle — Eric Chavez and Erubiel Durazo each drove in runs, and Mark Redman (11-12) outpitched Bobby Madritsch (5-3) as Oakland pulled three games ahead of Anaheim in the AL West standings.

Redman, who lost his two previous starts, allowed one run and eight hits in 62/3 innings. Octavio Dotel pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki was hitless in four at-bats and walked, holding his season hits total at 236.

Rangers 1, Angels 0

Anaheim, Calif. — Rookie Chris Young (2-2) allowed five hits in six innings, Kevin Mench hit a run-scoring single, and the Rangers shut out the Angels for the second straight day.

Anaheim leads the major leagues in batting at .285, but has been blanked three times in five games — including a 2-0 loss Saturday.

Jarrod Washburn (11-8) held the Rangers to an unearned run in eight innings.

White Sox 6, Tigers 1

Chicago — Paul Konerko and Carlos Lee homered, and Freddy Garcia pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning to lead the White Sox.

Garcia (12-11) easily handled the Tigers and appeared headed for his first shutout of the season, but loaded the bases with one out in the eighth before allowing Dmitri Young’s sacrifice fly. He allowed one run and six hits, struck out eight and walked three in 71/3 innings.

Blue Jays 9,

Devil Rays 7

Toronto — Vernon Wells homered in Toronto’s five-run third inning, and Guillermo Quiroz had two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who moved two games behind fourth-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

Vinnie Chulk (1-3) pitched 11/3 innings for his first major-league win. Justin Speier got three outs for his seventh save.