DETROIT — Max Scherzer improved to 10-0 and struck out 10, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer and the Detroit Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 Monday night. Scherzer became the first pitcher to begin a season 10-0 — with all decisions coming in starts — since Roger Clemens went 11-0 for Toronto in 1997, according to STATS. He allowed one run and seven hits in six innings. Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 24th homer in the second, but struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth and the Orioles down by two runs. Jake Arrieta (1-2) allowed five hits on 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings for Baltimore, and he was sent down to the minors following the game.
Angels 11, Mariners 3: Albert Pujols had an RBI double among his four hits, Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer, and surging Los Angeles pounded out a season-high 21 hits in a win over Seattle. Alberto Callaspo matched his career high with four hits, driving in two runs during the Angels' seven-run sixth inning. Peter Bourjos had three hits as Los Angeles battered Aaron Harang (3-7) and the Seattle bullpen in its fourth victory in five games. Jason Vargas (6-4) yielded four hits and recorded a season-high nine strikeouts in seven strong innings, easily beating his former teammates in his second start against the Mariners since an offseason trade. Rangers 8, Athletics 7: Nelson Cruz homered twice, A.J. Pierzynski drove in three runs and Texas snapped a six-game losing streak with an win over AL West-leading Oakland. The Rangers had scored only eight runs during what was the longest active skid in the majors, and all six losses came at home. Cruz's second homer was a two-run shot onto the hill in straightaway center field on an 0-2 pitch from Jesse Chavez (1-1) in the fifth. Cruz added a run-scoring double in the seventh. Neal Cotts (3-1) went 2 1-3 perfect innings in relief of rookie Nick Tepesch. Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers each worked 1-2-3 innings, then Joe Nathan secured his 21st save in 22 chances. Royals 2, Indians 1: Pinch-runner Elliot Johnson scored from third base on a wild pitch by reliever Matt Albers in the ninth inning, giving Kansas City a win over Cleveland. Johnson sprinted home and slid in safely after Albers' pitch got under catcher Carlos Santana and went all the way to the backstop. White Sox 4, Astros 2: Dayan Viciedo hit a bases-loaded triple in a four-run sixth inning and Chicago beat Houston end a four-game skid and avoid its first four-game sweep since 2008. Nate Jones (3-4) allowed three hits in 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win, striking out three, and Addison Reed pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save. Inter-League Blue Jays 2, Rockies 0: Maicer Izturis hit a two-run single in the eighth inning and Toronto won its sixth consecutive game with a victory over Colorado. Josh Johnson struck out a season-high 10 over 7 1-3 innings but remained winless in seven starts with Toronto, having received only 13 runs of support. Johnson allowed five hits and walked two, lowering his ERA from 5.40 to 4.38. — Agencies
