AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York’s Hiroki Kuroda tied a career high by striking out 11 as the Yankees beat Chicago 4-0 on Saturday, ending the White Sox’s four-game winning streak.
Kuroda (8-7) pitched three-hit ball for seven innings and walked one in the matchup of American League division leaders.
Photo: Reuters
Dewayne Wise, who the previous day was unexpectedly called upon to pitch, shone in a more familiar role as he had three hits and homered. Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano also cleared the fences.
Chicago starter Jake Peavy (6-5) struck out 11 without a walk in his fourth complete game this year, but still took the loss.
RANGERS 7, ATHLETICS 2
In Arlington, Texas, Josh Hamilton hit a three-run homer to cap a big fifth inning as Texas notched their fifth straight win by beating Oakland.
Hamilton drove in four runs to help Texas (50-29) become the first team in baseball to reach 50 victories.
Texas’ 21-year-old Martin Perez (1-0) won his first big-league start, allowing two runs, walking only one and striking out five in 5-1/3 innings.
Oakland’s Tommy Milone (8-6) gave up six runs in five innings.
BLUE JAYS 11, ANGELS 2
In Toronto, Ontario, Yunel Escobar homered during a seven-run burst in the second inning that spurred Toronto past Los Angeles.
Brett Lawrie later added a three-run shot. He also doubled and singled.
Los Angeles rookie Mike Trout, who came in leading the AL with a .342 average, was held hitless for the first time in 12 games. He finished zero-for-four, dropping his average to .336.
The Blue Jays’ Henderson Alvarez (5-6) worked seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time since May 10.
The Angels’ Garrett Richards (2-1) lost for the first time in five starts this season. He allowed 10 runs in 4-1/3 innings.
INDIANS 11, ORIOLES 5
In Baltimore, Maryland, Choo Shin-soo went four-for-five with a homer, scored four runs and collected three RBIs to lead Cleveland past Baltimore.
Shelley Duncan also homered for the Indians, who had a season-high 19 hits — eclipsing record of 16, set the previous night.
During the game, Baltimore announced the acquisition of slugger Jim Thome from Philadelphia for two minor leaguers.
Cleveland’s Josh Tomlin (4-5) allowed seven hits in six innings. Baltimore starter Dana Eveland (0-1) gave up five runs in 3-2/3 innings.
TIGERS 6, RAYS 2
In St Petersburg, Florida, Rick Porcello (6-5) pitched seven shutout innings to steer Detroit past Tampa Bay.
Austin Jackson hit a three-run homer in the eighth to put the Tigers up 4-0.
Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (4-4) left in the third after being struck in the lower right leg by a liner. The Rays said Hellickson, who missed his previous two starts because of right shoulder inflammation, has a bruised shin and X-rays were negative.
MARINERS 3, RED SOX 2, 11 INNS
In Seattle, Washington, Chone Figgins’ sacrifice fly in the 11th inning was deep enough to drive in the winning run as Seattle edged Boston.
With the Red Sox’s infield playing in and expecting a possible squeeze bunt from Figgins, he came through with a line drive off Boston closer Alfredo Aceves (0-5) that Cody Ross caught cleanly in right field. He made a strong throw, but the ball bounced before getting to the plate and the catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia could not pick it up cleanly, allowing Dustin Ackley to scamper home.
Ackley started the rally with a one-out single and advanced to third on Miguel Olivo’s base hit.
Shawn Kelley (2-2) pitched the 11th for the victory, but the bigger performance was Seattle closer Tom Wilhelmsen working two scoreless innings.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ Twins 7, Royals 2, Game 1
‧ Twins 5, Royals 1, Game 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, SAN FRANCISCO
Cincinnati’s Mat Latos pitched a two-hitter to win his career-best seventh straight decision, leading the Reds to a 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants in Saturday’s clash of National League divisional leaders.
Latos (7-2) struck out seven and did not walk a batter in his 115-pitch gem and second straight complete game. It was the first time in seven years a Reds pitcher had thrown back-to-back complete games. He also pitched seven scoreless innings against the Giants in April.
Cincinnati’s Miguel Cairo added an RBI single after replacing the injured Joey Votto.
San Francisco starter Barry Zito (6-6) labored through six innings, his six walks one shy of his season worst.
METS 5, DODGERS 0
In Los Angeles, California, Johan Santana pitched eight scoreless innings as New York handed Los Angeles a season-worst seventh-straight loss.
Santana (6-4) did not give up a hit between leadoff singles in the first and eighth innings.
Ike Davis hit a three-run homer for the Mets.
The Dodgers were shut out for the fifth time in six games and have produced only two runs in their past 57 innings.
LA starter Nathan Eovaldi (0-5) gave up five runs in 5-1/3 innings.
BRAVES 7, NATIONALS 5
In Atlanta, Mike Minor won for just the second time in 12 starts as Atlanta beat Washington in stifiling heat.
Minor (4-6), who had lost his past two starts, allowed four runs in five innings.
Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg (9-3) left after just three innings because of heat-related issues.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Pirates 7, Cardinals 3
‧ Brewers 10, Diamondbacks 2
‧ Marlins 3, Phillies 2
‧ Cubs 3, Astros 2
‧ Padres 8, Rockies 4
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