AMERICAN LEAGUE
Undefeated Matt Harrison and Texas equaled an American League record by turning six double plays as the Rangers picked up where they left off in October by beating the New York Yankees 5-3 on Friday.
The teams played for the first time since Texas battered the Yankees to win last year’s AL Championship Series in six games. The Rangers won this time with pitching, thanks to Harrison (3-0) and his sure-handed fielders on a chilly, windy evening.
Photo: Reuters
Texas turned double plays on grounders by the first six hitters in the New York lineup — Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Andruw Jones and Nick Swisher.
This was the 15th time an AL team made six double plays in a game. The major league mark for double plays in a game is seven by San Francisco in 1969.
TIGERS 8, ATHLETICS 4, 10 INN
Photo: AFP
In Oakland, California, Miguel Cabrera hit a game-tying solo homer leading off the ninth inning against fill-in closer Brian Fuentes (0-2), who blew his first save in six chances and then loaded the bases with one out in the 10th.
The A’s defense didn’t help his cause, committing three errors in Detroit’s seven-run 10th to raise their majors-leading total to 16. That includes seven in the last four games.
Leyland became the 19th major league manager to reach 1,500 wins, doing so on his first attempt.
BLUE JAYS 7, RED SOX 6
In Boston, Jose Bautista singled in the go-ahead run in a four-run seventh inning as Toronto deepened the misery of the struggling Boston.
The Red Sox dropped to 2-10, matching their poorest start in history.
Brett Cecil (1-1) gave up homers to Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis in the third inning when Boston went ahead 3-0. Toronto tied it on Corey Patterson’s two-run double in the fifth and Travis Snider’s RBI double in the sixth.
Bobby Jenks (0-1) started the seventh for Boston and allowed all four runs, making it 7-3.
INDIANS 8, ORIOLES 2
In Cleveland, Ohio, Justin Masterson pitched seven strong innings for his third win, while Asdrubal Cabrera had four RBIs as Cleveland kept the AL Central standings flipped upside down.
Masterson (3-0) allowed just one run and four singles. He went 6-13 last season and didn’t get his third win until July 1 — in his 16th start.
Cabrera’s two-run single highlighted Cleveland’s four-run third inning off rookie Zach Britton (2-1), who gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings.
RAYS 5, TWINS 2
In St Petersburg, Florida, Wade Davis pitched seven strong innings, while Johnny Damon and Kelly Shoppach drove in two runs each to lead Tampa Bay over Minnesota.
Davis (1-2) limited the defending AL Central champions to three singles and Danny Valencia’s fifth-inning RBI double to help the Rays to their fourth straight win and fifth in seven games following an 0-6 start. Minnesota have dropped three in a row and five of their last six.
ROYALS 6, MARINERS 5
In Kansas City, Missouri, Luke Hochevar gave up one hit in seven innings, while Jeff Francoeur homered and drove in three runs to help Kansas City beat Seattle for their fifth victory in six games.
Ichiro Suzuki led off the game with a double, the only hit Hochevar (2-1) would allow. Hochevar retired 16 in a row after walking Luis Rodriguez with two outs in the second, before exiting after seven innings and 100 pitches.
Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard (0-3), who missed all of last season after having his third shoulder surgery in as many years and has not won since June 7, 2009, gave up five runs and seven hits in 4-2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out six.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ Angels 4, White Sox 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, DENVER, COLORADO
Jhoulys Chacin tossed a six-hitter for his first career complete game, while Chris Iannetta hit a bases-clearing triple as the Colorado Rockies won their seventh straight, beating the Chicago Cubs 5-0.
The Rockies are off to their best start in franchise history, improving to 11-2 behind the performance of Chacin, who’s picking up the slack quite nicely with ace Ubaldo Jimenez sidelined due to a cracked cuticle on his right thumb.
In windy and cool conditions, Chacin (3-0) struck out seven and walked two. He smacked his fist into his glove when the Rockies recorded a 5-4-3 double play to end the game.
Matt Garza (0-2) turned in a third straight erratic performance, surrendering five runs and seven hits in six innings.
NATIONALS 4, BREWERS 3, 10 INN
In Washington, Adam LaRoche’s 10th inning fielder’s choice scored Jayson Werth with the winning run for the Nationals.
With one out, Werth grounded to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who threw wildly to first. Werth took second on the error. Werth stole third without a throw.
After the stolen base, the Brewers played a five-man infielder with left fielder Ryan Braun playing between first and second. LaRoche bounced to first against Zach Braddock (0-1) and Prince Fielder’s throw home pulled catcher Jonathan Lucroy off the plate, allowing Werth to score the winning run.
PADRES 4, ASTROS 2
In Houston, Texas, Chris Denorfia doubled and homered, while Ryan Ludwick drove in a pair of runs as San Diego downed Houston.
San Diego starter Aaron Harang (3-0) allowed three hits and one run with eight strikeouts in six innings for the win. Closer Heath Bell gave up two hits and a run in the ninth inning for his third save.
Denorfia made it 1-0 with a solo homer in the fifth inning, giving the Padres their first run of the series after being shut out on Thursday. Houston’s Hunter Pence tied it with an RBI double in the sixth inning.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Marlins 4, Phillies 3
‧ Pirates 6, Reds 1
‧ Braves vs Mets, rained out
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