Shoemaker, Angels shut out White Sox
ANAHEIM -- Right-hander Matt Shoemaker pitched a six-hit shutout to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night in front of 39,620 at Angel Stadium.
Shoemaker (5-9) also amassed a career-high 13 strikeouts in recording the first shutout of his career. The right-hander issued no walks in earning his second consecutive win.
Right-hander James Shields (2-4) retired 16 of the final 18 batters he faced, permitted only one hit after the first inning, allowed only two hits and two walks and collected two strikeouts yet lost his second successive decision.
But Shoemaker had to survive a dramatic ninth inning, when the White Sox put the potential lead run on base. Adam Eaton began the inning by lining Shoemaker's first pitch into left field for a double.
Jose Abreu grounded out but Melky Cabrera followed with a single that sent Eaton to third. But Shoemaker struck out Todd Fraser and Justin Morneau to end the game.
The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Yunel Escobar began hitting a triple off the wall in right-center field. Then after Kole Calhoun walked, Escobar scored when Mike Trout grounded out. Calhoun took second base on the play but catcher Dioner Navarro picked Calhoun off for the third out following Albert Pujols' groundout.
The White Sox put the potential tying run on second base with one out in the fourth when Jose Abreu hit his second double of the game. But Melky Cabrera flew out and Todd Frazier looked at a 93 mph fastball at the knees for a called third strike.
Chicago followed suit in the sixth. Adam Eaton just beat shortstop Andrelton Simmons' throw on a slow roller for an infield single with two out, then stole his 11th base. But Abreu struck out when he missed an 86 mph change-up.
NOTES: Chicago has failed to score a run in 23 consecutive innings entering Saturday's game. ... The White Sox have hit 26 home runs in their past 19 games since June 21. ... Chicago CF Adam Eaton recorded his 500th career hit Friday night with a double in the first inning. ... White Sox LHP Chris Sale became the fifth pitcher in team history to start an All-Star Game. Sale joined Billy Pierce (1953, 1955, 1956), Early Wynn (1959), Esteban Loaiza (2003) and Mark Buehrle (2005). ... Los Angeles is batting .352 (45-for-128) with runners in scoring position and .300 (117-for-390) overall while scoring 77 runs since July 1. ... Angels DH Albert Pujols has driven home 17 runs in his past 19 games entering Saturday night. ... Angels CF Mike Trout entered the All-Star break with 58 walks and a .425 on-base percentage, his highest first-half totals of his career. ... The Angels are wearing replicas of their 1970s uniforms this weekend.