Verlander flirts with no-hitter in Tigers’ victory

Author: 
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Publication Date: 
Tue, 2011-08-02 05:26

Maicer Izturis lined an RBI single to left field with two outs in the eighth for the Angels’ only hit. Verlander (15-5) was trying for his third career no-hitter and second this season.
Weaver (14-5) was ejected for throwing a pitch over Alex Avila’s head in the seventh, right after Carlos Guillen showboated on a solo home run — infuriating the right-hander.
Guillen flipped his bat, posed at the plate and skipped a few steps sideways, prompting Weaver to yell at him before Guillen rounded the bases.
Sensing trouble was coming, plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt warned both benches. But Weaver threw the next pitch near Avila’s head and was quickly ejected along with Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia.
In a marquee matchup of All-Star aces, Verlander allowed two unearned runs in eight innings. Jose Valverde worked the ninth for his 28th save in 28 tries.
In Chicago, Dustin Pedroia hit a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh, Jason Varitek homered and the Red Sox beat the White Sox to win their weekend series at US Cellular Field.
Alfredo Aceves (7-1), who relieved starter Andrew Miller in the sixth, pitched a scoreless inning to get the victory.
White Sox star Paul Konerko left with a bruised left calf after being hit with a pitch from Miller in the bottom of the fourth inning. X-rays were negative.
Jesse Crain (5-3) surrendered Pedroia’s hit, and Adrian Gonzalez doubled in a run in the ninth to give Boston a 5-3 lead. Jonathan Papelbon struck out the side in the bottom half for his 24th save.
In Toronto, Brandon Morrow struck out a season-high 11 to win for the third time in four starts, leading Toronto the victory.
During the game, the AL West-leading Rangers obtained more help for their bullpen when they acquired right-hander Mike Adams from San Diego for minor league pitchers Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland.
Koji Uehara , acquired from Baltimore on Saturday, made his Rangers debut in the seventh and pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two.
Toronto held a pregame ceremony to retire the jersey of second baseman Roberto Alomar, the first Blue Jays player inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In New York, Brett Gardner hit a bases-loaded triple to power New York to its third consecutive win.
Freddy Garcia (10-7) struck out six in six innings to send the Yankees to 22 games over .500, their highest point of the season.
New York shortstop Derek Jeter left after getting hit by a pitch, but X-rays only showed a bruised right middle finger.
The Yankees improved their major league-best record in day games to 31-7 and won for the 20th time in their last 26 home games. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 27th save.
In Cleveland, Danny Duffy pitched into the sixth inning while subbing for the injured Kyle Davies and Jeff Francoeur and Alex Gordon homered for Kansas City.
The Indians lost for the eighth time in 10 games, but learned their trade with Colorado for pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez became official after he passed a physical.
The last-place Royals took two of three from the Indians and have won eight of 12.
Duffy (3-4) allowed two runs and eight hits in five-plus innings. Soria got three outs for his 20th save.
Davies was scratched about an hour before the game because of a sore right shoulder.
   In Seattle, Tampa Bay’s Jeremy Hellickson held Seattle to a run and five hits over seven-plus innings to become the first AL rookie with 10 wins.
Hellickson (10-7) carried a no-hitter into the sixth but Chone Figgins , batting .184, opened with a single to center and Franklin Gutierrez followed with another single. Hellickson retired the next three batters on a flyout and two foulouts.
Hellickson is the quickest Tampa Bay rookie to 10 wins since Rolando Arrojo reached the mark on June 27, 1998.
Jason Vargas (6-10) went 5 1-3 innings for the Mariners. He allowed nine hits and six runs, four earned.
In Oakland, California, Coco Crisp keyed Oakland’s offense with two hits and three stolen bases.
Ryan Sweeney drove in two runs and Brandon McCarthy threw six effective innings for the A’s, who have won five of seven.
Jim Thome had three hits, including his 597th home run, for the Twins, who have lost three of four. Joe Mauer added three hits and drove in a run while Danny Valencia added two hits and an RBI.
McCarthy (4-5) allowed three runs and eight hits. He also struck out a career-high nine.
Twins starter Carl Pavano (6-8) lasted four innings, giving up seven runs and nine hits. He is winless in four starts since the All-Star break. 
 

Taxonomy upgrade extras: