Santana's sacrifice fly in 9th off All-Star closer Yates sends Twins past Rangers 3-2

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Carlos Santana hit a sacrifice fly off All-Star closer Kirby Yates in the ninth inning and the playoff-contending Minnesota Twins won 3-2 at Texas on Thursday night in the series opener against the reigning World Series champion Rangers.

Santana's deep fly to right-center came after Yates (4-2) issued consecutive one-out walks and then threw a wild pitch.

“He's seen it all ... he really knows what he needs to do," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said of Santana. “We don't need a bomb. We don't need really anything but a barrel. He got the pitch up and drove it out there. Nice job, professional.”

Willi Castro homered for the Twins (68-53), who moved within four games of idle Cleveland for the AL Central lead. Minnesota currently holds the American League's second wild card.

The Rangers (56-66) are third in the AL West and 10 games behind Houston, matching their biggest division deficit this season.

Jorge Alcala (3-3), the third Twins pitcher, retired all three batters he faced. Jhoan Duran struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 17th save in 18 chances.

“The game starts and there’s runs all over the place, and there’s some hard-hit balls and you’re almost expecting a different kind of ballgame,” Baldelli said

Adolis García had three hits, his fifth time in seven games with multiple hits — he is hitting .484 (15 of 31) in that span. His RBI single in the first inning came before Josh Jung's sacrifice fly put Texas up 2-0.

After multiple runs in the first inning for the first time since July 23, the Rangers had their 10th game this year not scoring again after a run in their first at-bat. All eight hits were singles, ending 39 consecutive games since June 29 with an extra-base hit that was the longest-active streak in the majors.

“We just couldn’t get much going after first inning. Had a couple chances there and couldn’t get another hit to tack on or add another run or two,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s a tough one. They scored a cheap run there in the ninth.”

Minnesota got even in the second. Castro's 10th homer was followed by Kyle Farmer's triple that ricocheted off the angled wall in left-center and past center fielder Leody Taveras for an error that allowed him to score.

“Getting the game evened up was big time,” said Minnesota starter Bailey Ober, who went six innings. “I could just kind of restart and reset, have a clear mind, like it didn’t happen. Just go out there and attack.”

The Twins marked Christian Vázquez reaching 10 years of MLB service with balloons, cookies and a mariachi band in the clubhouse before the game. The catcher, who was part of World Series titles in Boston and Houston, had his 15th hit in his last 12 games with a single in the fourth. He was then doubled off first base on Austin Martin's flyout.

Right fielder García's throw to retire Vázquez was the third game in a row, and fourth of five, the Rangers had an outfield assist. Their 24th matched their 2023 season total and is two shy of Cleveland for the most in the majors this year.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: CF Byron Buxton was placed on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right hip. The move was retroactive to Tuesday, the day after he exited a game against Kansas City.

Rangers: RHP Nathan Eovaldi is scheduled to start Saturday, a week after coming out of his last start because of right side tightness. Eovaldi has thrown a bullpen and said everything should be fine. ... Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (right shoulder fatigue) is set to throw a bullpen Friday. His last start was July 30.

UP NEXT

Rangers lefty Andrew Heaney (4-12, 4.05 ERA) is tied for the most losses in MLB after going 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA his last four starts. Rookie right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (3-3, 3.78) pitches Friday night for the Twins.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia follows through on a single as Minnesota Twins catcher Christian Vazquez, right, looks on in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Kyle Farmer (12) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a triple and then scoring on a fielding error by Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro celebrates his solo home run against the Texas Rangers as he rounds the bases in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis celebrates his double against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien rounds third on his way home, scoring on Adolis Garcia's single against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Christian Vazquez (8) and Kyle Farmer (12) celebrate in front of Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cody Bradford, right, after Farmer hit a triple and then scored on a fielding error by center fielder Leody Taveras in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro watches his solo home run that came off a pitch from Texas Rangers' Cody Bradford in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Kyle Farmer sprints around third after hitting for a triple then scoring on a fielding error by Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Kyle Farmer sprints around second after hitting for a triple before scoring on a fielding error by Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim reaches out for the throw to the plate as Minnesota Twins' Kyle Farmer scores after hitting a triple, then scoring on a fielding error by center fielder Leody Taveras, in the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Minnesota Twins' Carlos Santana follows through on a sacrifice fly that scored Matt Wallner in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in aid for Ukraine Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv, aiming to bolster the energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded ahead of an expected difficult winter.

At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken said the assistance also would provide humanitarian support and pay for demining operations.

The $325 million in energy support in the package will help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.

Some $290 million will fund food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees outside the country. The remaining $102 million will be used for mine-removal activities.

Late last week, the U.S. announced it was sending $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine, including air defense missiles and artillery.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The top U.S. and British diplomats traveled together to the Ukrainian capital Wednesday to underscore their commitment to the country in its war with Russia, and Ukrainian officials pressured the visitors to let them use Western-provided long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.

The rare joint visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy unfolded as Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and pounds the country with missiles, glide bombs and drones that claim many civilian casualties.

Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a “critical” juncture following Ukraine's daring incursion last month into Russia’s Kursk region, even as it tries to defend against its neighbor’s aerial attacks on cities across the country.

"We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” Lammy said.

He noted that Britain is setting aside 3 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) a year to help Ukraine.

But relations between Ukraine and its Western partners have been increasingly strained by Kyiv’s repeated appeals for the West’s authorization to use long-range weapons from the United States and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia.

That issue has become more urgent given Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have balked at the request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.

U.S. President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped for changes to those limitations.

“Let’s count on some strong decisions, at least,” he said. “For us, it’s very important.”

He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial.

“We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can’t prevail without it,” Zelenskyy said.

However, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week pushed back on the idea that long-range strikes would be a game-changer.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. The Ukrainians have other means to strike long-range targets, he added.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Lammy he hoped an agreement on using long-range assets “for strikes on the territory of our enemy” could be reached. “We hope for your help and support in this issue.”

Shmyhal described the meeting with Lammy in Kyiv as “intense” but gave no other details in his post on his Telegram channel.

A hard winter likely lies ahead for Ukraine. Its power grid is under severe strain after Russian missiles and drones knocked out around 70% of the country’s generation capacity.

Kyiv officials will also have to navigate the outcome of the U.S. election in November, which could produce important policy shifts in Washington. Former President Donald Trump said in a presidential debate Tuesday that he wants the war to end but did not clearly say he wants Ukraine to win.

The top U.S. and British diplomats reached the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland.

Blinken traveled from London, where he accused Iran of providing Russia with Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, calling the move a “dramatic escalation” of the war.

Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: “Russia’s use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. We must be able to respond to such terrorism in kind by destroying military targets on their territory to ensure greater safety for our citizens.”

Wednesday’s visit came ahead of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned trip to Washington, where he will meet Biden at the White House on Friday. Ukraine's request for permission to strike Russian targets is due to feature in the discussion.

The visit was, unusually, announced in advance — a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine.

As Blinken and Lammy arrived in Kyiv, the U.K. announced it would ban 10 commercial ships it accuses of illicitly transporting Russian oil in violation of international sanctions. The U.K. government said the vessels would be barred from British ports and could be detained if they enter.

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Derek Gatopoulos in Kyiv contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

On the podium from left, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar Nariman Dzhelyal, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk attend the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

Front from left, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar Nariman Dzhelyal and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy attend the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with chef Yevhen Klopotenko as he visits a restaurant in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, listens as UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, right, speaks during the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (not pictured) and other officials Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (not pictured) and other officials Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is greeted as he arrives at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, right. and US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken arrive at Kyiv train station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy are greeted as they arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, front left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, front left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)