NEW YORK — CC Sabathia beat All-Star Justin Verlander in a prime pitching matchup that lived up to its billing, and Alex Rodriguez’s pop-fly homer sent the New York Yankees to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
Sabathia (9-6) tossed seven shutout innings, working out of trouble most of the afternoon for his eighth victory in 11 decisions. Mariano Rivera got three quick outs for the save while Derek Jeter made an outstanding defensive play in the ninth.
Melky Cabrera legged out an infield single to drive in the second run against Verlander (10-5), who took a three-hit shutout into the seventh inning before running into some tough luck.
White Sox 4, Orioles 3
CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle allowed one run pitching into the eighth inning, Jermaine Dye hit a go-ahead two-run homer and the White Sox, who started the season 15-22, pulled within 1½ games of AL Central-leading Detroit – the closest they’ve been to the division lead since May 3.
Buehrle (10-3) improved to 14-1 with a 2.47 ERA in 20 home starts dating back to 2008 All-Star break. He allowed eight hits over 7 1-3 innings without issuing a walk, reaching double-digit victories for the ninth straight year.
Baltimore rookie Brad Bergesen (6-4) allowed only three hits through four innings but fell apart after first baseman Wigginton failed to catch shortstop Cesar Izturis’ routine throw with one out in the fifth.
Dye followed with his 21st homer, extending his hitting streak to 11 games and putting the White Sox up 2-1.
Angels 11, Athletics 6
OAKLAND, Calif. — Erick Aybar drove in a career-high four runs, and Chone Figgins hit a leadoff homer while reaching base four times for the Angels.
Every starter got a hit and six drove in a run for the AL West-leading Angels, who capitalized on four Oakland errors and survived a rare poor start by Jered Weaver for their fifth win in six games.
Matt Holliday had a two-RBI single during Oakland’s five-run fourth inning, and Jack Cust homered for the last-place A’s. Jason Giambi went 2 for 4 with a walk in his first multihit game since June 19 after beginning the day in a 5-for-50 slump.
Oakland rookie right-hander Vin Mazzaro (2-6) was the loser.
Darren Oliver (4-0) ended Oakland’s rally during 1 2-3 scoreless innings of work.
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- Los Angeles Angels’ Reggie Willits, right, steals second base as Oakland Athletics shortstop Orlando Cabrera makes a tag sans ball in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 18, 2009, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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