Near-perfect Sabathia, Yankees sting Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – New York pitcher C.C. Sabathia came close to a no-hitter as he steered the Yankees to a 10-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League on Saturday.

Sabathia had not yielded a hit for 7 2-3 innings when his former batterymate Kelly Shoppach got a hit. There was no visible reaction from the exhausted Yankees ace.

Manager Joe Girardi immediately removed Sabathia, who struck out five. The left-hander threw 69 of his 111 pitches for strikes and benefitted from some spectacular defensive plays in the field.

In Chicago, Jason Kubel’s two-run homer in the seventh inning was enough for Minnesota to edge Chicago, 2-1.

Twins starter Scott Baker pitched seven sharp innings, having struggled on opening day. He allowed just one run, striking out three.

Jesse Crain got two outs in the eighth and stranded Chicago’s Mark Teahen at second, and Jon Rauch pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his fourth save.

In Detroit, Jeremy Bonderman gave up one hit in five innings to guide Detroit past Cleveland, 4-2.

Bonderman retired the first 11 he faced, then allowed a run on a wild pitch, single and two walks. He started for the first time at home in nearly two years since having surgery to break up a blood clot in his throwing shoulder.

Magglio Ordonez had a two-run homer for the Tigers.

In Arlington, Texas, Franklin Gutierrez drove in the go-ahead run to cap a three-run ninth inning that lifted Seattle over Texas, 4-3. (AP)