Lackey keys Angels sweep of Yankees

ANAHEIM, California – John Lackey pitched seven solid innings as the Los Angeles Angels completed a sweep of the New York Yankees with a 5-4 victory in the American League on Sunday.

Lackey (4-4) quickly worked through the Yankees lineup, allowing two runs on six hits. The Angels’ ace struck out six in one of his most efficient starts since missing the first six with a forearm strain.

C. C. Sabathia (8-6) gave up five runs and struck out six in six 2-3 innings against the Angels, who have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Yankees in Anaheim.

Brian Fuentes struck out Alex Rodriguez for the final out and earned his 26th save in 29 chances.

Sabathia, who was 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA away from Yankee Stadium entering the game, was solid through three innings. He got help from Rodriguez and Robinson Cano on two double plays to get out of the first and third, but he gave up four runs in the fourth.

Bobby Abreu and Howie Kendrick had RBI doubles and Brandon Wood and Robb Quinlan added RBI singles.

At Seattle, pinch-hitter Chris Shelton and Rob Johnson hit consecutive RBI singles with two out in the seventh inning to lead Seattle past Texas, 5-3.

All-Star Ichiro Suzuki had two hits and drove in a run for the Mariners, raising his batting average to .362 and extending his hitting streak to 11 games.

Hank Blalock and Nelson Cruz homered for the Rangers.

Derek Holland and Darren O’Day (2-1) combined to retire the first two batters in the Seattle seventh, but Ken Griffey Jr. followed with the first of four straight singles for the Mariners. At Boston, Josh Beckett capped a brilliant first half of the season with a three-hitter, joining teammate Tim Wakefield as the only 11-game winners in the AL as Boston blanked Kansas City, 6-0.

Beckett (11-3) retired the first nine batters, five on strikeouts, and picked up his 100th career victory. It was his second shutout and complete game of the season following his 3-0 win over Atlanta on June 20. (AP)