AL roundup: Sabathia wins All-Star pitching matchup

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NEW YORK (AP) - 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.

Blue Jays 6, Red Sox 2

TORONTO (AP) - Adam Lind hit a two-run homer, Marc Rzepczynski earned his first major league win and Toronto ended a three-game skid and snapped Boston's four-game winning streak.

Making his third career start, the left-handed Rzepczynski (1-1) allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He walked four, struck out four and lowered his ERA to 2.50.

Boston's Brad Penny (6-4) allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings and has not won in five starts. He walked one and struck out three.

White Sox 4, Orioles 3

CHICAGO (AP) - 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 1 1/2 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. (AP) - 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.

Rays 4, Royals 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Willy Aybar was 4-for-4, including an RBI double for the go-ahead run in the eighth, and Tampa Bay beat reeling Kansas City.

It was the second consecutive collapse of the Kansas City bullpen and wasted a good effort by Zack Greinke, who departed after seven innings with a 2-1 lead.

Juan Cruz (3-4) blew a lead for the second straight night. He gave up Evan Longoria's booming two-run homer in the eighth inning of Tampa's come-from-behind 8-7 victory Friday night.

Chad Bradford (1-0), the fourth of Tampa's six pitchers, threw two pitches in the seventh and got the win. J. P. Howell pitched the ninth for his eighth save in 13 opportunities.

Mariners 3, Indians 1

CLEVELAND (AP) - Jarrod Washburn pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Franklin Gutierrez homered for a second straight night and the Mariners beat the Indians.

Washburn (7-6) allowed a run in 6 2-3 innings and has given up two runs over his last 23 2-3 innings to win his last three starts. It has lowered his ERA from 3.36 to 2.87 - fifth-best in the American League. David Aardsma pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances.

Tomo Ohka (0-4) had his best start in a month, but still lost.

Twins 4, Rangers 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Scott Baker allowed a run in eight innings and Michael Cuddyer homered as Minnesota handed Texas its fourth straight loss.

Baker (8-7) retired the last nine batters he faced. He allowed six hits and struck out eight to win for the fourth time in five starts.

Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save in 27 chances. Nathan has not allowed a run in his last 23 2-3 innings dating back to May 21.

Scott Feldman (8-3) had his three-game winning streak snapped. The right-hander gave up three runs, five hits and struck out five over six innings.

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