AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Los Angeles Angels snapped Minnesota’s four-game winning streak, beating the Twins 7-5 in a showdown between two of the American League’s divisional leaders on Saturday.
Mark Teixeira went 3-for-3 with a home run for Los Angeles, which extended its lead in the AL West to 16 games, while Minnesota could not improve its half-game lead in the AL Central.
Francisco Rodriguez closed out another strong performance by the Angels’ bullpen, earning his 49th save and combining with two set-up men for 4-2/3 scoreless innings.
BLUE JAYS 11, RED SOX 0
In Toronto, the home side routed Boston, condemning Jon Lester to the shortest start of his career.
Red Sox pitcher Lester had won nine of his past 10 decisions and gone at least seven innings in eight straight starts, but lasted just 2 1-3 innings this time, giving up a career worst seven runs.
The loss kept Boston only half a game ahead of Chicago in the wildcard race.
Vernon Wells hit two home runs and Marco Scutaro added a solo shot for the Blue Jays.
Wells went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and scored four times.
YANKEES 5, ORIOLES 3
In Baltimore, Carl Pavano impressed in his first majors’ pitching appearance for 16 months, guiding New York over Baltimore.
The injury-cursed Pavano allowed three runs in five innings, striking out five. It was only his 20th start with the Yankees since signing a four-year, US$40 million contract before the 2005 season.
In other AL action on Saturday it was:
• Rays 5, White Sox 3
• Indians 8, Rangers 7
• Tigers 4, Royals 0
• Athletics 5, Mariners 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Agencies, CHICAGO
Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of three-run homers and Ryan Dempster matched a career high with his 15th win, leading the Chicago Cubs over the Washington Nationals 9-2 in the National League on Saturday.
Mark DeRosa homered in his third straight game and Alfonso Soriano added a RBI double for the Cubs, who have the best record in the NL at 79-50. Dempster (15-5) allowed one run in 7 1-3 innings.
Dempster, who also won 15 games for Florida in 2001, scattered eight hits, struck out four and walked one, sending the Nationals to their 13th loss in 15 games.
“It was sticky out there,” said Dempster. “But I felt like I got stronger as the game wore on. I was able to maintain myself.”
PHILLIES 9, DODGERS 2
At Philadelphia, Pat Burrell homered and matched his career high with five RBIs, and Cole Hamels pitched effectively with some overdue run support to lead Philadelphia.
Burrell put the Phillies ahead with his 30th homer, a three-run shot just inside the left-field foul pole in the first inning.
He got a gift RBI double in the fifth when Los Angeles center fielder Matt Kemp lost a routine fly in the sun, then capped his big day with a RBI single in the sixth. Burrell also scored three runs.
Hamels (11-8) went seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out five.
Los Angeles rookie left-hander Clayton Kershaw (2-4) had his worst outing of the season, allowing a season-high six runs and seven hits in four-plus innings.
In other NL action on Saturday it was:
• Giants 4, Padres 3
• Astros 8, Mets 3
• Brewers 6, Pirates 3
• Braves 8, Cardinals 4
• Diamondbacks 7, Marlins 1
• Rockies 7, Reds 6
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