Angels, Mariners Keep Winning Out West

If the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners keep winning close games, they won't need to worry about who wins the division. The runner-up will still have a place in the playoffs. <br/><br/>Jered

Saturday, August 25th 2007, 11:21 am

By: News On 6

If the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners keep winning close games, they won't need to worry about who wins the division. The runner-up will still have a place in the playoffs.

Jered Weaver pitched six scoreless innings and the Angels outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays and ace Roy Halladay 3-0 on Friday night, the game ending just after Jose Guillen drove in the go-ahead run to send the Mariners past the Texas Rangers 4-2.

The AL West-leading Angels remained a game ahead of the Mariners, while Seattle extended its lead in the wild-card standings to three games over the New York Yankees, who lost at Detroit, 9-6 in 11 innings.

``I was just able to stay consistent tonight,'' said Weaver (9-6), who scattered five hits and struck out five. ``I was able to make some pitches when I needed to and got out of there all right.''

Justin Speier and Scot Shields each pitched a scoreless inning and Francisco Rodriguez did likewise in the ninth for his 32nd save in 36 chances, helping the Angels improve their home record to a major league-best 43-19.

``Anytime you can get through six with a lead and you've got Speier, Shields and Frankie coming in behind you, you're pretty confident it's going to be a victory,'' Weaver said.

In Arlington, Texas, Guillen homered in the first inning before driving in Ichiro Suzuki to break a 2-all tie in the seventh, as Seattle won for the seventh time in eight games and improved to 19-7 since a season-long seven-game losing streak.

``I've gone through a lot since last year,'' said Guillen, who has been slowed by injuries. ``I had to change the way I swing because I was so sore. But all the soreness is gone now.''

In other AL games, Boston took a doubleheader from Chicago, beating the White Sox 10-1 and 11-3. It was Kansas City 2, Cleveland 1; Minnesota 7, Baltimore 4; and Tampa Bay 12, Oakland 2.

Weaver had his best stuff on a night when Halladay was good but not great.

Halladay (14-6) allowed 12 hits, struck out five and walked none. Despite the loss, the four-time All-Star notched his major league-leading sixth complete game and 30th in 216 career starts _ including a five-hit, 4-1 victory over the Angels on Aug. 14 at Toronto.

``More than anything, it's just about going as far as I can,'' Halladay said. ``It's never been a goal to throw so many complete games. It's just trying to get as deep as you can every time out.''

The 2003 Cy Young winner allowed RBI singles to Vladimir Guerrero, Maicer Izturis and Orlando Cabrera.

``It kind of raises your level of intensity going up against a guy like that,'' Weaver said of the matchup with Halladay. ``It was fun battling against him.''

The Mariners and Rangers were in their own pitchers' duel until David Murphy hit a two-run homer in the fifth to tie it for Texas.

It stayed that way until Ichiro, who had three hits, reached on an infield single in the seventh. He scampered to second on a grounder before Guillen lofted a soft single to right off Kevin Millwood (8-11) for the eventual game-winner.

Felix Hernandez (10-6) allowed three hits and struck out seven in six innings to improve to 4-0 over his last six starts. J.J. Putz pitched a perfect ninth for his 37th save in 39 opportunities.

``(Hernandez) had some great stuff,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said. ``We had opportunities. We just couldn't cash them in.''

Red Sox 10, White Sox 1

Red Sox 11, White Sox 3

At Chicago, David Ortiz homered twice and Kevin Youkilis added a three-run shot to back Curt Schilling (8-5) in the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

Boston drove out struggling rookie John Danks (6-12) in a five-run fourth.

In the opener, Josh Beckett (16-5) became the major leagues' first 16-game winner and Jason Varitek had four RBIs to beat Jon Garland (8-10).

Tigers 9, Yankees 6, 11 innings

At Detroit, Carlos Guillen's three-run homer lifted the Tigers in a game that lasted even longer than the 4-hour and 1-minute rain delay that preceded it.

Alex Rodriguez hit his 43rd homer for the Yankees, who got a poor performance from Roger Clemens.

Chad Durbin (8-6) pitched the 11th to earn the win and Sean Henn (2-2) took the loss.

Royals 2, Indians 1

At Kansas City, Mo., Zack Greinke and five Kansas City relievers combined on a six-hitter, the win going to left-hander John Bale (1-1).

C.C. Sabathia (14-7) has won only once in his last seven starts despite a 2.13 ERA. The Indians have scored a total of 18 runs in those starts.

Twins 7, Orioles 4

At Baltimore, Justin Morneau ended a career-long home run drought and Jason Kubel homered and drove in three runs, sparking a late rally for Johan Santana (14-9).

Minnesota trailed 4-0 in the seventh before Kubel hit a two-run homer in the seventh and a game-tying sacrifice fly in the eighth off Jim Hoey (1-2).

Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 28th save.

Devil Rays 12, Athletics 2

At St. Petersburg, Fla., James Shields (10-8) carried a shutout into the ninth inning and Tampa Bay ended Oakland's five-game winning streak.

Lenny DiNardo (8-7) gave up six runs and eight hits in two-plus innings.