Tue, Jul 14, 2009 page18

• Lackey helps Angels sweep Yankees

  ASIANS IN ACTION Taiwan’s Ni Fu-te was in action as Detroit downed Cleveland, while elsewhere Ichiro Suzuki helped Seattle to victory against Texas

  • AP, AND STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
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  AMERICAN LEAGUE

  John Lackey pitched seven solid innings as the Los Angeles Angels completed a sweep of the New York Yankees with a 5-4 victory in the American League on Sunday.

  Lackey (4-4) quickly worked through the Yankees lineup, allowing two runs on six hits. The Angels’ ace struck out six in one of his most efficient starts since missing the first six with a forearm strain.

  

  The Detroit Tigers’ Taiwanese reliever Ni Fu-te pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the ninth inning of their game on Sunday in Detroit. The Tigers beat the Indians 10-1.

  PHOTO: AP

  C. C. Sabathia (8-6) gave up five runs and struck out six in six 2-3 innings against the Angels.

  Brian Fuentes struck out Alex Rodriguez for the final out and earned his 26th save in 29 chances.

  Sabathia, who was 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA away from Yankee Stadium entering the game, was solid through three innings. He got help from Rodriguez and Robinson Cano on two double plays to get out of the first and third, but he gave up four runs in the fourth.

  Bobby Abreu and Howie Kendrick had RBI doubles and Brandon Wood and Robb Quinlan added RBI singles.

  TIGERS 10, INDIANS 1

  At Detroit, Clete Thomas drove in five runs and Brandon Inge homered twice as Detroit trounced Cleveland.

  All-Star Justin Verlander (10-4) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and three walks. He struck out eight, giving him 149 for the season.

  Thomas, who has replaced Magglio Ordonez in the lineup against right-handers, finished a double short of the cycle. Inge, headed to today’s All-Star game, homered in the fourth and fifth innings.

  Tomo Ohka (0-3) took the loss, giving up five runs on five hits and a walk in 3 2-3 innings.

  Taiwanese pitcher Ni Fu-te was brought into the game to replace starter Armando Galarraga. Ni pitched 1.1 innings, giving up one hit and one run.

  Ni faced the Indians’ best hitter Grady Sizemore when he replaced Galarraga at the top of the seventh, striking him out after Sizemore hit a fly ball to left field.

  Then Victor Martinez was lined out at second base and created a double play as Ben Francisco, who was on second base, made a base running error and was forced out.

  At the top of the eighth, South Korean hitter Choo Shin-soo made a two-base hit to right field before Ni was replaced.

  Ni’s earned run average went up to a 2.45.

  He has pitched a total of 7.1 innings with six hits, one walk, eight strikeouts, giving up two runs since being called up to the Major League.

  MARINERS 5, RANGERS 3

  At Seattle, pinch-hitter Chris Shelton and Rob Johnson hit consecutive RBI singles with two out in the seventh inning to lead Seattle past Texas.

  All-Star Ichiro Suzuki had two hits and drove in a run for the Mariners, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.

  Hank Blalock and Nelson Cruz homered for the Rangers.

  Derek Holland and Darren O’Day (2-1) combined to retire the first two batters in the Seattle seventh, but Ken Griffey Jr. followed with the first of four straight singles for the Mariners.

  In other games it was:

  • Red Sox 6, Royals 0

  • Orioles 4, Blue Jays 2

  • Twins 13, White Sox 7

  • Athletics 7, Rays 3

  NATIONAL LEAGUE

  AP, MILWAUKEE

  All-Star Orlando Hudson homered twice and Clayton Kershaw won his fifth consecutive road start as the Los Angeles Dodgers capped the best first half in the majors with a 7-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

  Manny Ramirez went 3 for 3 and scored twice to help the Dodgers finish a 6-3 road trip for their best start in 32 years at 56-32.

  Backup catcher Brad Ausmus also homered and James Loney drove in two runs with two singles.

  Kershaw (7-5) gave up one run and two hits over six-plus innings.

  He struck out four and walked five.

  Yovani Gallardo (8-7) lost his third straight start, allowing five runs and six hits in five innings.

  The Brewers scored twice in the seventh and eighth, but Ramon Troncoso worked the ninth for his fifth save.

  ROCKIES 8, BRAVES 7

  At Denver, All-Star Brad Hawpe hit a game-ending RBI double as Colorado rallied to beat Atlanta.

  Seth Smith set up Hawpe’s clutch hit with a one-out single off Luis Valdez (0-1), who was making his major league debut. After Garrett Atkins flied out, Hawpe lined a 1-1 pitch into right-center to score Smith from first and give the Rockies a split of the four-game series.

  Hawpe, Smith and Troy Tulowitzki homered for Colorado, and Huston Street (3-1) worked a perfect ninth for the win.

  Brooks Conrad hit a two-run homer and finished with three hits for Atlanta.

  PHILLIES 5, PIRATES 2

  At Philadelphia, Pedro Feliz hit a first-inning grand slam, and J.A. Happ allowed one run over seven innings to help Philadelphia down Pittsburgh.

  The Phillies, who won their fifth straight, scored five times in the first off rookie Virgil Vazquez (1-3).

  Happ (6-0) welcomed the support and handcuffed the Pirates most of the afternoon. The left-hander recorded his fifth straight strong outing, compiling a 2.00 ERA during that span. Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless eighth inning and J.C. Romero worked the ninth.

  In other games it was:

  • Cubs 7, Cardinals 3, 1st game

  • Cardinals 4, Cubs 2, 2nd game

  • Marlins 8, Diamondbacks 1

  • Mets 9, Reds 7

  • Astros 4, Nationals 0

  • Padres 10, Giants 4
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