AMERICAN LEAGUE
ANGELS 2, RED SOX 0
BOSTON -- Hours after a devastating blow to the Los Angeles rotation, the Angels were reassured and relieved by rookie starter Matt Shoemaker.
Shoemaker threw 6 2/3 innings of no-hit ball and the Angels held on for a 2-0 victory against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night, completing a four-game sweep and taking a two-game lead in the AL West.
"I didn't even really know or think about it until about the fifth or sixth," Shoemaker said. "It was just one of those things -- work and focus on pitches, who's coming up and then you realize where they are in the order."
The only hit Shoemaker (12-4) allowed was a double to Will Middlebrooks with two outs in the seventh. It was the only hit Boston got all night and welcome timing for the Angels, whose bullpen was weary with a cross-country flight ahead and a huge series opening at Oakland on Friday.
The Angels were also dealing with confirmation that Garrett Richards (13-4) is out for the season with a knee injury that occurred Wednesday while covering first on a potential double play.
"I think it's really uplifting. I think it's important. There's going to be a lot of attention on our rotation obviously with Garrett not going to be part of it," manager Mike Scioscia said. "You can't say enough about what Matty did tonight."
Shoemaker struck out nine before a two-out walk to Mookie Betts in the eighth ended his night. It was the only walk for Shoemaker, who struck out nine. Jason Grilli pitched the ninth for his 12th save of the season and first with the Angels since coming to Los Angeles in a deal with Pittsburgh on June 27.
The Angels have won four consecutive and eight of nine, taking a two-game lead over the A's into this weekend's series at Oakland.
RAYS 1, TIGERS 0 David Price allowed only one hit in his first start against his former team, an RBI triple to Brandon Guyer, and Tampa Bay beat visiting Detroit to avoid a three-game sweep. Ben Zobrist reached on a throwing error by shortstop Eugenio Suarez and scored on Guyer's hit.
YANKEES 3, ASTROS 0 Brandon McCarthy pitched a four-hitter and host New York avoided a three-game sweep, beating Houston. Chase Headley hit an early two-run double and the Yankees backed McCarthy with flawless fielding.
TWINS 4, INDIANS 1 Kennys Vargas homered and sparked rallies with two other hits, leading Minnesota past Corey Kluber and visiting Cleveland. Phil Hughes (14-8) struck out eight over seven innings to forge a four-way tie for the American League lead in victories, with Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer and Scott Kazmir.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NATIONALS 1, DIAMONDBACKS 0 Denard Span scored from second on third baseman Jordan Pacheco's throwing error in the ninth inning, and host Washington stretched its winning streak to 10 games with a victory over Arizona. Five of Washington's last six victories have come in its final at-bat of the game.
CUBS 2-3, GIANTS 1-5 After two days, the first upheld protest in nearly 30 years and another rain storm, host Chicago finally completed a victory over San Francisco in a suspended game. Anthony Rizzo's two-run home run Tuesday held up as the teams played the final 4 1/2 innings of a game the Cubs thought they had won 2-0 before Major League Baseball ruled it was suspended. In the nightcap, Buster Posey went 4 for 4 with his 14th home run, leading Madison Bumgarner and the Giants to a victory.
BRAVES 8, REDS 0 Justin Upton extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a bases-loaded single during Atlanta's decisive third inning, and the visiting Braves extended their offensive resurgence with a victory over fading Cincinnati.
DODGERS 2, PADRES 1 Clayton Kershaw scattered three hits over eight innings while outdueling Tyson Ross, Justin Turner hit a two-run home run and first-place host Los Angeles rallied to beat San Diego. Kershaw (15-3) struck out 10 and walked two.
Sports on 08/22/2014