LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Cleveland Indians and Los
Angeles Angels sealed American League division titles with
solid pitching performances on Sunday.
Jake Westbrook struck out nine in seven innings and Grady
Sizemore had four hits as the Indians grabbed the Central
Division pennant with a 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
John Lackey won his 18th game as the Angels wrapped up the
West Division championship by topping the Seattle Mariners 7-4.
The Central Division title was the first in six years for
Cleveland.
"We just wanted to get it done today for Cleveland and the
fans here," Westbrook (6-9) told reporters.
"I was throwing the ball hard and locating a lot of my
pitches. It was fun to pitch today."
Sizemore went 4-for-4 and drove in two runs. His
fourth-inning triple put the Indians ahead 6-0.
"I wanted to set the tone early," Sizemore told reporters.
"I wanted to get on base and just create. We knew if we could
get ahead early, with the way our bullpen's going, (the A's)
wouldn't be able to get back in the game."
Lackey (18-9) struck out seven and allowed seven hits in
seven innings for the Angels, who won their third West title in
four years.
"I take a little pride in that sort of thing," Lackey told
reporters. "I enjoy the opportunity in big games and try to
make the most of it.
Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis sparked the offense with
second-inning home runs.
*Mike Mussina won his 250th career game and reserve catcher
Jose Molina had three hits as the New York Yankees beat the
Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 to move within one and a half games of
the Boston Red Sox in the AL East Division.
*Delmon Young's two-run second-inning homer sparked the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 5-4 home victory over Tim Wakefield
and the Boston Red Sox.
(Writing by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina)