Buehrle Throws No-Hitter In White Sox Win

Mark Buehrle had one of the best nights of his career, pitching the first no-hitter of the season. <br/><br/>Buehrle faced the minimum 27 batters to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 6-0 victory over the

Thursday, April 19th 2007, 7:56 am

By: News On 6

Mark Buehrle had one of the best nights of his career, pitching the first no-hitter of the season.

Buehrle faced the minimum 27 batters to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 6-0 victory over the Texas Rangers, picking off the only runner he walked and throwing his team's first no-hitter since 1991.

Working quickly and efficiently in a dominant performance, Buehrle allowed only one baserunner. He walked Sammy Sosa with one out in the fifth inning, then promptly picked him off first base.

``I can't believe I did it,'' Buehrle said. ``Perfect game would have been nice, too.''

Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez, who pitched a one-hitter at Boston on April 11, left with tightness in his pitching elbow in the first inning of the Mariners' 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said his ``gut feeling'' was his franchise pitcher was going to be OK, but added, ``I have nothing to base it on.''

In other AL games Wednesday, it was: Oakland 3, Los Angeles 0; New York 9, Cleveland 2; Boston 4, Toronto 1; Baltimore 6, Tampa Bay 4; and Kansas City 4, Detroit 3 in 10 innings.

At Chicago, Jim Thome homered twice _ giving him 477 for his career _ and Jermaine Dye hit a two-out grand slam in the fifth off Rangers starter Kevin Millwood (2-2).

Buehrle stayed calm all night. Bucking baseball tradition, he joked with teammates and even went to the clubhouse to watch some TV and chat with catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

``Obviously, never in a million years thought I'd be able to have this happen,'' Buehrle said. ``I don't know if it's really sunk in yet.''

At Seattle, Hernandez recorded just one out and was charged with three runs. The Mariners said the 21-year-old phenom left ``for precautionary reasons'' and would be re-evaluated Thursday.

Hernandez (2-1) left the stadium before the end of the game, leaving his teammates to express their concern about the young right-hander.

``I was worried,'' catcher Kenji Johjima said though an interpreter. ``I care a lot for him.''

The Twins got the win when Luis Castillo threw out Adrian Beltre at the plate to end the game.

Carlos Silva (1-1) shut out the Mariners until Richie Sexson hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Joe Nathan worked the ninth inning for his fourth save in four chances.

Athletics 3, Angels 0

Dan Haren outpitched John Lackey for his first win of the season and Eric Chavez drove in two runs to help host Oakland hand Los Angeles its sixth straight loss.

The Angels' offensive woes continued without their top two hitters. Vladimir Guerrero and Howie Kendrick were both out of the lineup after getting hit by pitches this week. They flew back to Los Angeles to see a hand specialist.

Haren (1-2) allowed four hits in seven sharp innings. Huston Street earned his fourth save, completing the five-hitter.

Lackey (2-2) lost to the A's for only the third time in 20 career starts. He allowed three runs over seven innings.

Yankees 9, Indians 2

Alex Rodriguez hit his major league-leading ninth homer and Kei Igawa (1-0) limited visiting Cleveland to a pair of runs over six innings.

Jason Giambi also homered for the Yankees, and A-Rod hit a two-run drive in the sixth off reliever Tom Mastny, connecting for the second straight night.

Rodriguez, who leads the majors with 23 RBIs, matched Albert Pujols and Chris Shelton (both last year) for the fourth-fastest to nine homers, trailing only Mike Schmidt (10 games in 1976), Luis Gonzalez (10 in 2001) and Larry Walker (12 in 1997).

Jeremy Sowers (0-1) allowed six runs and nine hits in 2 2-3 innings for the Indians.

Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 1

David Ortiz homered and Tim Wakefield allowed four hits in seven innings to lead visiting Boston.

Mike Lowell and Doug Mirabelli also homered for the Red Sox. Wakefield (2-1) struck out four, walked three and lowered his ERA to 1.35. Brendan Donnelly worked a perfect eighth and Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his third save.

Toronto starter Tomo Ohka (0-2) didn't allow a hit until Lowell homered with two outs in the fifth. Mirabelli led off the sixth with his second home run, and Ortiz opened the seventh with his fifth.

Orioles 6, Devil Rays 4

Erik Bedard won his third straight start, Kevin Millar hit a tiebreaking double and Baltimore beat host Tampa Bay.

Millar's fifth-inning double off Gary Glover (0-1) gave Baltimore a 4-3 lead. Millar then scored to make it 5-3 when Jon Knott, who singled, was tagged out in a rundown between first and second.

Nick Markakis homered to help the Orioles win two of three in the series.

Bedard (3-1) gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings, and Chris Ray struck out all three batters in the ninth for his fifth save.

Rocco Baldelli hit a leadoff homer for the Devil Rays.

Royals 4, Tigers 3, 10 innings

John Buck hit a leadoff homer in the 10th inning and visiting Kansas City ended its six-game losing streak.

Gil Meche did not allow an earned run in eight innings for the Royals, who fell behind 3-0 in the sixth. Mike Sweeney hit an RBI single in the seventh and Kansas City tied it with two runs in the ninth against Detroit closer Todd Jones.

One inning later, Buck hit a 2-0 pitch from Fernando Rodney (1-3) into the left-field seats. Joakim Soria (1-0) struck out four in two scoreless innings for his first major league win.