John Lackey took a no-hitter into the ninth before settling for a two-hitter as the Angels defeated the Red Sox 6-2. Dustin Pedroia lined a single into left with one out to break it up. Lackey threw 81 of his 120 pitches for strikes.
Matt Garza threw a five-hit shutout, outdueling Roy Halladay, as the Rays beat the Blue Jays 3-0. Garza allowed five hits, including four singles, and benefited from three double plays in his first career shutout.
Carlos Lee hit his 12th career grand slam to carry the Astros to a 6-2 win over the Reds. Lee, who came in batting .370 since June 8, hammered Bronson Arroyo’s pitch off the left-field facade, his 24th homer.
THREE DOWN
The Braves committed two costly errors in an 8-3 loss to the Cardinals. Catcher Corky Miller’s errant throw allowed Albert Pujols to score the tie-breaking run in the eighth inning. Greg Norton’s miscue led to a five-run ninth.
The Yankees fell to 4-7 against the last-place Orioles this season after a 7-6 loss. If the Yankees’ streak of postseason play ends at 13 years, they may look back at the missed opportunities against Baltimore.
After seeing his team rally from a 7-0 deficit, Mariners closer J.J. Putz handed the game right back to the Rangers. Ramon Vazquez doubled home Chris Davis and Gerald Laird as the Rangers won 12-11.
———-
EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
