Angels wins W. Division title again
ANAHEIM, California: The Los Angeles Angels clinched the American League West division title for the third time in four years on Sunday with a 7-4 victory against the Seattle Mariners.
John Lackey struck out seven over seven strong innings as he followed his 10-strikeout performance in a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday with another stellar outing.
After surrendering Raul Ibanez's two-out single in the first, the righthander set down 10 straight batters until Ben Broussard singled to open the fifth.
In all, the Angels' ace did not walk a batter on his way to permitting two runs and seven hits to extend his career high win total to 18.
Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis each homered off Seattle starter Jeff Weaver in Anaheim's three-run first to stake the Angels to an early 3-0 lead.
Weaver, who has lost three of his last four decisions, surrendered five runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings.
In Ohio, The Cleveland Indians secured their post-season spot , clinching the American League Central title with a 6-2 victory against the Oakland Athletics.
The Indians improved to 92-63 and became the first team in baseball to clinch its division and the second team to punch its ticket to the postseason. The Boston Red Sox clinched a playoff spot on Saturday.
AFP
(China Daily 09/25/2007 page24)
