Ortiz splits shift to end Darvish's no-hit bid in 9th

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish came oh, so close again.

The Japanese ace fell one out shy of a no-hitter for the second time Friday night, giving up only a ninth-inning single to David Ortiz in the Texas Rangers' 8-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

The Rangers shifted their infield -- a standard practice against Ortiz -- with shortstop Elvis Andrus playing second base and rookie second baseman Rougned Odor in shallow right field.

Ortiz's hard-hit grounder made its way between Andrus, who did not dive, and the diving attempt by Odor, who stretched out on the outfield grass.

Darvish lost a perfect-game bid with two outs in the ninth inning last season against Houston. This time, he bent his knees and put his glove on his hips after the base hit. Texas manager Ron Washington then made a slow walk to the mound, with the 45,392 in attendance cheering and chanting "Yuuuuuu!"

Darvish struck out 12 and walked two while throwing 126 pitches.

Odor, 20, playing his second major league game, and Ortiz were also involved in the seventh-inning play that ended Darvish's try for a perfect game.

Darvish struck out eight of the first 11 batters he faced and retired 20 in a row until Ortiz hit a high popup to right field with two outs in the seventh.

Odor was also shifted into shallow right then and drifted back for the ball while right fielder Alex Rios was coming in before suddenly stopping. Odor lunged with his glove extended above his head but the ball dropped between them.

An error was charged to Rios after official scorer Steve Weller looked at replays and conferred with several others.

Darvish, who was coming off the mound in case he needed to back up a base, crouched down when the ball hit the ground. Former Rangers catcher Mike Napoli then drew a walk before Grady Sizemore's inning-ending flyout.

ANGELS 4, BLUE JAYS 3 Raul Ibanez drove in the tie-breaking run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, Mike Trout hit a home run and visiting Los Angeles beat Toronto.

INDIANS 6, RAYS 3 Mike Aviles hit a three-run home run during a five-run seventh inning, Corey Kluber went 62/3 effective innings, and Cleveland beat host Tampa Bay.

TWINS 2, TIGERS 1 Phil Hughes pitched seven scoreless innings, and visiting Minnesota beat Justin Verlander and Detroit for the first time in over four years. Kurt Suzuki hit a two-run single off Verlander (4-2) in the seventh to lift Minnesota.

ORIOLES 4, ASTROS 3 Steve Pearce and Manny Machado hit home runs and host Baltimore beat Houston.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

REDS 4, ROCKIES 3 Joey Votto hit a game-ending home run, and Cincinnati shut down Nolan Arenado in a victory over visiting Colorado.

PIRATES 6, CARDINALS 4 Neil Walker had three hits, including a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning, and drove in four runs to help host Pittsburgh beat St. Louis.

BRAVES 3, CUBS 2 (10) Freddie Freeman's single up the middle drove in Jason Heyward from second base in the 10th inning and Atlanta beat visiting Chicago.

PHILLIES 3, METS 2 (11) Marlon Byrd sliced an RBI double just inside the right field line in the 11th inning, and Philadelphia beat host New York.

INTERLEAGUE

WHITE SOX 9, DIAMONDBACKS 3 Alexei Ramirez hit a grand slam to fuel Chicago's seven-run fourth inning and Jose Abreu hit his 13th home run to lead Chicago to a victory over visiting Arizona.

YANKEES 5, BREWERS 3 Masahiro Tanaka (5-0) pitched into the seventh inning, Yangervis Solarte hit a three-run home run and New York beat host Milwaukee.

Sports on 05/10/2014

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