AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Los Angeles Angels scratched out a 1-0 win over Kansas City on Saturday to hand Zack Greinke his first loss of the year. Joe Saunders shut out the Royals on five hits to improve to 5-1 on the season, while Greinke gave up one run on four hits in another complete game effort.
Greinke dipped to 6-1 while his earned run average rose to a mere 0.51 — just over half a run per nine innings.
PHOTO: AP
“An awesome game, just awesome,” Saunders said, adding that he knew he had to be at his best up against Greinke. “Give up one or two runs and you might lose.”
Los Angeles produced the game’s only run before a crowd of 39,776 at Angel Stadium in a fast-paced pitchers’ duel that lasted just over two hours.
Gary Matthews Jr led off the third inning with a line-drive double to right. Erick Aybar laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Matthews to third base, where he scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Chone Figgins.
Matthews said he had been curious to see how Greinke was shutting everybody down.
“I’ve always thought he had good stuff,” Matthews said. “But his record coming in — 6-0, 0.40 — that was unreal. I thought he located very well and changed speeds on his fastball. It’s always good to contribute. Joe [Saunders] needed to pitch a great game for us, and he did.”
The victory lifted the Angels (15-14) to within half a game of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. Kansas City, the surprise leaders in the Central Division, dropped to 18-13.
Greinke, 25, struck out five batters and did not allow a walk in his eight innings on the mound.
Saunders, 27, walked one and struck out six as he continued his strong start this season following a breakthrough 17-7 record in last year’s campaign.
ORIOLES 12, YANKEES 5
At Baltimore, Maryland, Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer off Phil Hughes during an eight-run second inning as the home team beat New York.
In other AL action it was:
• Rays 14, Red Sox 5
• Blue Jays 6, Athletics 4
• Twins 9, Mariners 6
• Tigers 4, Indians 0
• White Sox 3, Rangers 2
In NL action it was:
• Mets 10, Pirates 1
• Dodgers 8, Giants 0
• Reds 8, Cardinals 3
• Braves 6, Phillies 2
• Astros 5, Padres 4
• Brewers 12, Cubs 6
• Marlins 3, Rockies 1
• Nationals 2, Diamondbacks 1
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