ANAHEIM: Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson shut down Seattle for seven innings and C.J. Cron smacked a three-run home run as Anaheim beat the Mariners 5-0 and clinched the American League West division title on Wednesday.
Wilson struck out seven and allowed just one hit and three walks. He threw only 95 pitches, and departed after the Angels offense erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh.
With one out in the seventh, Howie Kendrick got things rolling for the Angels with a single to right field.
David Freese knocked a single to right that got past Chris Denorfia and trickled to the wall. Kendrick, running hard, scored standing up, and Freese reached second base.
Tony Campana pinch-ran for Freese and Erick Aybar was walked intentionally. Starter James Paxton struck out Chris Iannetta for the second out, but the Mariners went to the bullpen and the move backfired.
Danny Farquhar came on to face Cron, who crushed a 1-1 pitch to left center field. Farquhar then walked Collin Cowgill and Cowgill scored when Kole Calhoun doubled down the right field line.
The Angels, who had already secured a playoff berth, notched their 18th win in 22 games and locked up their first AL West title since 2009 when division rivals Oakland lost to Texas 6-1.
The Rangers scored all of their runs in the top of the ninth inning, an outburst that included JP Arencibia’s three-run homer.
AFP
