By The Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla.- In his final spring start, Johan Santana looked sharp and ready for the season.

Santana, last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner, pitched six strong innings to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 4-2 victory over a Boston split squad.

Facing a Red Sox lineup loaded with regulars, Santana allowed nine hits and two runs, struck out six and walked one. He gave up three hits to leadoff batter Johnny Damon and a solo homer to cleanup hitter Kevin Millar in the top of the second inning.

“I’m ready to start the season,” said Santana, who started 2004 slowly as he recovered from offseason elbow surgery. “It’s not even close to last year. Right now, I’m feeling pretty good. Everything’s there. My pitches are there, so every time you feel like you can do all your pitches and you have command of your pitches – then you’re ready to go.”

Michael Cuddyer went 3-for-3 for the Twins with three RBIs and a run scored, looking more and more comfortable as the starting third baseman.

Boston minor leaguer Mike Lockwood went 2-for-4 with an RBI double off Santana.

Indians’ Juan gone

After winning a starting spot with the Cleveland Indians this spring, Juan Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a strained right hamstring.

The 35-year-old slugger and two-time AL MVP has missed 301 of a possible 486 games the past three seasons with a variety of injuries, primarily to his back.

To replace Gonzalez on the roster, the Indians recalled Grady Sizemore from Triple-A Buffalo.

Padres’ Roberts hobbled

Dave Roberts, the San Diego Padres’ new center fielder and leadoff hitter, probably will start the season on the 15-day disabled list because of a lingering groin injury.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Roberts would be re-evaluated Friday.

Marlins 3, Nationals 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Josh Beckett limited the Nationals to a run over seven innings to cap an outstanding spring training, lowering his ERA to 0.98. Washington third baseman

Vinny Castilla returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a left knee injury. He went 0-for-3 and is hitting .087 this spring.

Pirates 6, Reds 4

At Sarasota, Fla., right-hander Josh Hancock strained his groin and had to leave the game, forcing the Reds to reconsider their bullpen plans. Hancock was in line to make the 12-man staff before injuries ruined his spring.

Dodgers 3, Mets 0

Port St. Lucie, Fla., Derek Lowe pitched three perfect innings and Eric Gagne pitched a hitless eighth for Los Angeles.

Kazuhisa Ishii made his Mets debut against his former team and looked sharp, allowing one run and three hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked two and struck out two.

AP-ES-03-31-05 2144EST