C.C. Sabathia became the first pitcher to win 20 games this season as the New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles 11-3 on Saturday.
The victory at Camden Yards ensured the Yankees maintained their half-game lead in the American League East over the Tampa Bay Rays, who beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 in 10 innings.
Sabathia gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk in seven innings, while striking out four. It is the first time he has won 20 games in a season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I’m more excited that we won the game and people can stop asking me about it,” Sabathia said. “Right now, we’re in the middle of this thing, still trying to win a championship and trying to win a division. Maybe after the season, I can sit back and enjoy it more.”
Sabathia, however, did earn some praise from his manager Joe Girardi.
“I’m really happy for him,” Girardi said. “He has been our ace all year and really since he got here. To get to 20 wins, it’s really quite an accomplishment.”
The Yankees pounded out 13 hits and scored at least one run in seven of the nine innings. Curtis Granderson hit a three-run homer and Robinson Cano hit a two-run blast, while five Yankees scored two runs each.
Tigers 6, White Sox 3
In Chicago, pinch-hitter Scott Sizemore connected for a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift Justin Verlander and Detroit over Chicago.
Chicago lost their fifth in a row.
Verlander pitched a six-hitter and struck out eight. He struggled in only one inning, giving up three runs in the fifth.
Sizemore, batting for starting second baseman Will Rhymes, hit a tiebreaking home run with two outs.
Saturday’s other results:
• Rays 4, Angels 3, 10 innings
• Blue Jays 4, Red Sox 3
• Twins 4, Athletics 2
• Rangers 6, Mariners 1
• Indians 6 Royals 4
AP, LOS ANGELES
Troy Tulowitzki hit two more home runs to equal a modern major league record with 14 shots in a 15-game stretch as the Colorado Rockies kept up their playoff push by routing the Los Angeles Dodgers 12-2.
Tulowitzki hit a two-run homer in the first inning, doubled in the third and added another two-run homer in the fifth against rookie John Ely (4-8). Tulowitzki fouled out with the bases loaded in the eighth, but Melvin Mora hit a Grand Slam later in the inning.
Tulowitzki joined Albert Belle (1995) and Barry Bonds (2001) as the only players since 1900 to homer 14 times in a span of 15 games.
Jhoulys Chacin (9-9) threw 111 pitches over eight innings and was pulled three outs shy of his first big league shutout and complete game.
Phillies 5, Nationals 2
In Philadelphia, Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer to lead Philadelphia past Washington for their sixth straight victory.
Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez also homered for Philadelphia, who maintained a three-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.
Howard’s drive in the third gave him his fifth straight season with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs, setting a new franchise record previously held by Hall of Famer Chuck Klein.
Kyle Kendrick (10-9) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked one.
Saturday’s other results:
• Brewers 2, Giants 1
• Reds 11, Astros 1
• Braves 4, Mets 2
• Padres 8, Cardinals 4
• Cubs 5, Marlins 3
• Pirates 9, Diamondbacks 6
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