AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Los Angeles Angels crushed the New York Yankees 8-4 on Saturday, chasing prize acquisition C.C. Sabathia with four runs in the seventh inning.
Howie Kendrick’s infield single broke a 1-1 tie and Torii Hunter sent pitcher Sabathia (1-3) for an early shower with a two-run double in the seventh.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Matt Palmer (2-0) retired 14 consecutive batters after giving up a run-scoring single to New York’s Hideki Matsui in the first.
“It’s not about the guy I was facing on the mound,” the 30-year-old journeyman said. “I’ve felt I could always do it, given the opportunity and the chance. It’s competing, showing the coaches and staff I’d love to be here.”
Palmer held the Yankees to three hits and one run over six-and-a-third innings.
“It’s a matter of trusting what his stuff can do,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Palmer. “He understands his movement is where his real talent comes from.”
Sabathia, who signed a US$161 million, seven-year deal in pre-season, lasted six-and-two-third innings, giving up eight hits and five runs, while striking out five batters.
“I’d given up the lead and it’s just frustrating,” Sabathia said. “You lose a tie game up until that point and when we’re not scoring runs, it’s up to the pitcher to go out and keep it close into the eighth and ninth innings.”
The Angels added another run in the seventh after Sabathia left on Mike Napoli’s single and scored a solo run in the eighth and two more in the ninth.
New York, who had a four-game winning streak snapped, scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but could not rally enough.
BLUE JAYS 5, ORIOLES 4, 11 INNINGS
In Toronto, Aaron Hill hit an RBI single in the 11th inning to give the Toronto Blue Jays the win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, maintaining the Canadians’ lead in the American League standings.
Rod Barajas led off the 11th with a base hit. After one out, Barajas took second on Marco Scutaro’s sacrifice and scored on Hill’s single to right-center.
It was a wild final two innings for Hill, who homered in the 10th after his error in the top half helped the Orioles take a 4-3 lead.
Baltimore have lost five straight to sink to the bottom of the East Division standings.
Saturday’s other American League results:
• Red Sox 10, Rays 6
• Royals 10, Twins 7, 11 innings
• Rangers 9, White Sox 6
• Athletics 3, Mariners 2
• Tigers 9, Indians 7
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, LOS ANGELES
Andre Ethier hit a bases-loaded RBI single in the 10th inning, giving the Los Angles Dodgers a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday.
The Dodgers’ second straight walkoff win made them 9-0 at home, tying the franchise record set in 1946 in Brooklyn.
Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson both got singles in the 10th, putting runners on the corner bases. Manny Ramirez was walked intentionally and Ethier drove a pitch off the right field fence for the winner.
CUBS 6, MARLINS 1
In Chicago, Ted Lilly struck out 10 in eight strong innings and hit a two-run double, powering Chicago over Florida.
Lilly allowed just one run with no walks, giving the bullpen a much-needed rest after Cubs relievers pitched 11-and-a-third innings over the previous three games.
Saturday’s other National League results:
• Pirates 8, Reds 6
• Nationals 6, Cardinals 1
• Diamondbacks 4, Brewers 1
• Phillies 6, Mets 5, 10 innings
• Astros 5, Braves 1
• Rockies 5, Giants 1
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