Minneapolis ? Johan Santana made sure Minnesota’s first losing streak of the season didn’t last too long.

After watching teammates Kyle Lohse and Brad Radke get roughed up in consecutive losses to Chicago, Santana stopped the skid with 11 strikeouts in seven innings to help the Twins avoid getting swept by their division rivals with a 5-2 victory Sunday night.

“You don’t want to get swept by your rivals,” said Santana, who signed a four-year, $40 million deal in the offseason after winning the AL Cy Young award last year. “It’s early in the season, but every game counts.”

Torii Hunter keyed a big third inning with a three-run homer, and Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.

Hunter had four RBIs, which was more than enough for Santana (2-0), who scattered seven hits. During one stretch spanning the end of the third to the end of the sixth innings, Santana got eight of the 10 outs on strikeouts.

Chicago starter Mark Buehrle (1-1) was outstanding in his first outing of the season, giving up just two hits in eight innings against Cleveland on Opening Day, but the Twins got to him Sunday. He gave up five runs and seven hits in seven innings — including the big blow by Hunter in the third. It was the first time a White Sox starter gave up more than three runs this season.

Orioles 7, Yankees 2

New York — Carl Pavano was hit in the head by a line drive off Melvin Mora’s bat. Taken to a hospital, Pavano was diagnosed with a mild concussion, then returned to Yankee Stadium shortly after Baltimore’s victory.

Pavano went with the team to Boston for the three-game series against the Red Sox that opens today, but it was too early to know if he will make his next scheduled start.

Rodrigo Lopez (2-0), meanwhile, didn’t allow a hit through four innings and led 6-0 going to the bottom of the fifth.

Blue Jays 4, Red Sox 3

Toronto — Orlando Hudson doubled home the winning run in the ninth inning to give the Blue Jays a victory. Eric Hinske went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who took two of three from Boston — their first series win against the Red Sox since sweeping them May 30-June 1, 2003. Miguel Batista (1-1) got the win despite blowing a save chance in the top of the ninth. Boston’s Edgar Renteria ended a 3-for-23 slump with a tying, two-run single off Batista.

Indians 7, Tigers 6

Detroit — Ben Broussard’s two-run double keyed a six-run first inning, then Cleveland held on to defeat the Tigers. Jason Davis (1-0) pitched six innings in his season debut, giving up five runs — four earned — and eight hits. He walked one and matched a career best with seven strikeouts. Three Cleveland relievers finished, with Bob Wickman giving up an RBI single to Carlos Guillen in the ninth before finishing for his second save.

Athletics 6, Devil Rays 1

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Rich Harden allowed just one run in his first start of the season, and Erubiel Durazo hit a two-run single during a four-run sixth inning for Oakland. Harden (1-0) missed his scheduled start Wednesday against Baltimore because of a blister on his right middle finger. He allowed five hits and two walks and had five strikeouts in 51/3 innings.

Rangers 7, Mariners 6

Seattle — David Dellucci hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to help Texas rally for a victory after wasting a five-run lead. Mark Teixeira led off the seventh with a double off Mariners reliever Matt Thornton (0-2). One out later, Dellucci hit a 416-foot homer into the second deck in right field. Richie Sexson helped give the Mariners a 6-5 lead with an RBI double in a three-run fourth and a two-run double in a three-run fifth. Matt Riley (1-0) pitched 12/3 innings for the win.