The AL West champion Los Angeles Angels clinched home-field advantage for the first round the playoffs, closing out the regular season by winning 7-4 at Texas on Sunday.
The Angels will face the New York Yankees in the best-of-five series, beginning Tuesday at Anaheim. “I think we accomplished what we wanted to by getting guys rested and getting home field,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “Everything had to fall in place perfectly, and it looks like it did.”
The Angels have won 14 of their last 16 overall. Scioscia said he’d disclose his starting rotation Monday.
Piniella to go fishing, wait for offers
The Lou Piniella era in Tampa Bay ended in familiar fashion — with a loss, in this case 6-2 to the Orioles.
He received a big ovation and shouts of “Lou” when he walked back toward the dugout after bringing out the lineup card before the game. He took off his cap and waved it toward the fans.
“It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing,” Piniella said of buying out the last year of his Devil Rays contract. “Now I’ll relax, play some golf and fish and do the things I want to do, and evaluate opportunities if they come and when they come.”
The Devil Rays finished 67-95 but were 39-34 after the All-Star break.
Trammell squirms
Alan Trammell arrived home after the Detroit Tigers’ season-ending series in Minnesota not knowing if he would manage the team next year.
“I have not been told anything,” Trammell said Sunday night.
Trammell has a scheduled meeting with team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski on Monday.
“It’s an important day,” Dombrowski said.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Kansas City 2 at Toronto 7
W: Chacin (13-9)
L: Hernandez (8-14)
Gustavo Chacin yielded 2 runs–1 earned–and 7 hits in 7 2/3 IP. He led AL rookies in wins, innings (203). Emil Brown homered for Royals (56-106), who set team mark for losses.
New York 1 at Boston 10
W: Schilling (8-8)
L: Wright (5-5)
Manny Ramirez hit 3-run homer. Curt Schilling held N.Y. scoreless for 5 IP; by that time Indians had lost, Boston was in playoffs. Loser Jaret Wright subbed for Mike Mussina, who’ll start opener.
Los Angeles 7 at Texas 4
W: Santana (12-8)
L: Loe (9-6)
S: Rodriguez (45)
Ervin Santana allowed 4 runs and 7 hits in 6 IP for Angels. Rangers’ Michael Young went 1-for-1, won his first AL batting title at .331, beating out the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez (.321).
Detroit 4 at Minnesota 6
W: Santana (16-7)
L: Robertson (7-16)
S: Nathan (43)
Cy Young winner Johan Santana allowed 1 run, 3 hits in 7 IP, finishing with 2.87 ERA, 2nd to Indians’ Kevin Millwood (2.86). Matthew LeCroy hit 3-run homer for Twins, who swept series.
Baltimore 6 at Tampa Bay 2
W: Chen (13-10)
L: Colome (2-3)
Orioles’ Bruce Chen gave up 2 runs in 6 IP and Sal Fasano homered for 2nd straight day. Baltimore went 22-32 under interim manager Sam Perlozzo, who’s unlikely to get job full-time.
Oakland 8 at Seattle 3
W: Sherrill (4-3)
L: Kennedy (4-5)
Eric Chavez hit tiebreaking double in 8th, and Joe Kennedy won for first time since Aug. 27. After a major league-record 262 hits last year, Ichiro Suzuki had one to finish with a career-low 206.
