Chris Sale became the major leagues’ first four-game winner, allowing two hits in seven innings to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Wednesday.
Sale (4-0) allowed a pair of singles by Mike Trout and an unearned run. David Robertson had four outs for his sixth save in as many attempts, allowing Trout’s third hit and completing a fourth-hitter.
Chicago improved to 10-5. Last season, the White Sox began 10-14 and did not reach double digits in victories until May 26.
Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY
Tyler Saladino homered in the first off Garrett Richards (0-3), who gave up two runs — one earned — and four hits in 6-1/3 innings.
RANGERS 2, ASTROS 1
In Arlington, Texas, Cole Hamels extended his career-best winning streak to 10 games, while Rougned Odor had a two-run homer as Texas beat Houston.
Hamels hit the first two batters of the game, gave up three straight singles to start the second and surrendered a leadoff hit in the third, but the Astros could not score, helping Hamels (3-0) by making an out on the bases in each inning.
The ace left-hander allowed rookie Tyler White’s fifth home run in the sixth, but combined with reliever Sam Dyson to strand the tying run at third with one out in the seventh.
Jake Diekman got called third strikes on Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis with the tying run at second in the eighth before closer Shawn Tolleson pitched the ninth for his fifth save.
Doug Fister (1-2) allowed Odor’s second homer in the second inning as the Astros lost their ninth straight at the Rangers.
DIAMONDBACKS 2, GIANTS 1
In San Francisco, Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner both pitched well in a showdown of NL West aces, but Welington Castillo hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to help Arizona beat San Francisco.
Greinke (1-2) got his first win with Arizona and remained undefeated against the Giants — he is 8-0 in 11 starts against San Francisco and 3-0 against Bumgarner. He gave up a run on six hits over 6-2/3 innings, walking one and striking out seven.
Brandon Drury added two hits for the Diamondbacks, who won their fourth straight and have taken 11 of their past 13 in San Francisco.
Bumgarner (1-2) went seven innings, giving up the two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out eight as the Giants lost their fourth straight and seventh of eight.
Brad Ziegler earned his fourth save, extending his team record to 32 consecutive.
REDS 6, ROCKIES 5
In Cincinnati, Ohio, Tucker Barnhart hit a game-ending single off Christian Bergman (0-3) over a five-man infield in the ninth as Cincinnati overcame a bullpen meltdown and took advantage of a Colorado baserunning blunder.
Colorado appeared to tie the score 3-3 in the seventh when Dustin Garneau doubled with two outs and pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn singled to right, but Raburn was called out on appeal by umpire Adrian Johnson for missing third base.
However, Colorado tied the score in a three-run eighth when the first two batters reached against Blake Wood, Gerardo Parra hit into a run-scoring forceout off Tony Cingrani, and Paulsen hit a two-run double.
Ross Ohlendorf (3-2) pitched a perfect ninth inning.
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Cardinals 5, Cubs 3
‧ Athletics 5, Yankees 2
‧ Red Sox 7, Rays 3
‧ Dodgers 5, Braves 3, 10 inns
‧ Mariners 2, Indians 1
‧ Nationals 3, Marlins 1
‧ Tigers 3, Royals 2
‧ Orioles 4, Blue Jays 3
‧ Phillies 5, Mets 4, 11 inns
‧ Padres 8, Pirates 2
‧ Brewers 10, Twins 5
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