Final Score in Eleven Innings: Los Angeles Angels: 2, Kansas City Royals: 1
A marquee pitching matchup of John Lackey facing Zack Greinke lived up to its billing as both pitchers allowed each allowed one run, Greinke in 8, Lackey in 9. Kevin Jepsen got the win out of the Angels pen after pitching a quick bottom of the 10th. Erick Aybar singled home Torii Hunter to go ahead in the top of the 11th and Brian Fuentes got his 39th save of the season by allowing only one hit in a scoreless 11th.
In the top of the 8th, Chone Figgins hit a rocket by 2B Willie Bloomquist. Because he got some leather on it, the official scorekeeper called it an error, which it clearly was not, but anyway, Maicer Izturis then followed with a clean single. Greinke's ERA would be alright, but he was on the ropes. With one out, Torii Hunter singled home Figgins.
Lackey threw 106 pitches in 9 strong innings. He scattered 6 hits, allowed 1 earned run and struck out 4. Likely AL Cy Younger Greinke was just as dazzling, although he had to expend more pitches to get about the same results. He threw 125 pitches over 8 IP, struck out 8 and again, allowed a run that the official scorekeeper and Zach's parents would have called unearned but anyone else could plainly see was the result of a hit.
The Angels are 8-0 against the Royals this season. First pitch on Sunday is at 11:10 AM.
