Major League Baseball

Shoemaker throws 6-hitter, outduels Shields in Angels' win

Published Jul. 17, 2016 1:51 a.m. ET

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Matt Shoemaker once joked about a curse that plagued him every five days. It appears as though the curse has been lifted.

Shoemaker scattered six hits and struck out a career-high 13 in his first complete game in the majors, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0 on Saturday night.

''Matty has talked about trying to get over that hump and trying to get outs late in the game to close out,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ''Certain times this year he hasn't been able to close the door. Tonight he did.''

James Shields threw a two-hitter but was outdueled by Shoemaker, who walked none. Shoemaker (5-9) has allowed only four earned runs in his last five home starts.

Adam Eaton doubled to lead off the ninth and Melky Cabrera singled with one out to put runners on the corners. Shoemaker hoped for a double-play ball with Todd Frazier at the plate but couldn't get it. Instead, he struck out Frazier and Justin Morneau to end the game.

''Just trying to execute a really good pitch,'' Shoemaker said. ''Strikeouts are good, but in that situation a double play is the best-case scenario.''

Shields (4-11) allowed a leadoff triple to Yunel Escobar in the first inning but wouldn't allow another hit until the eighth. He walked two, struck out two and threw just 91 pitches.

''For the most part, I was pounding the strike zone,'' Shields said. ''I got behind the count in a few innings and then got myself back into it, got some ground balls. Me and (catcher Dioner Navarro) were on the same page rhythm-wise and it was good.''

Mike Trout drove in Escobar with a groundout in the first. It was the second straight game and the second time this season the Angels have won without Trout or Albert Pujols hitting safely.

''There's not very many times that the leadoff hitter decides the game,'' Shields said. ''It's a tough loss right there. We need to win these games, there's no doubt about it, but we need to move on.''

Chicago has now been held scoreless in its last three games and hasn't scored since July 9 against the Atlanta Braves.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said the frustration is visible and it's starting to wear on hitters. However, Ventura isn't worried that it will become a long-term problem.

''You wear it if it's just one game, let alone three,'' Ventura said. ''We've got to figure it out and we'll get there.''

The Angels won the three-game series with the victory and the White Sox have won just one series against Los Angeles since 2010.

The White Sox optioned infielder Carlos Sanchez to Triple-A Charlotte following the game. A corresponding roster move will be announced Sunday.

TRAINER'S ROOM

White Sox: LHP Carlos Rodon played catch from 60 feet on Saturday. Rodon said he'd like to return within the next week but is still unsure of his timeline and Ventura said he would likely need a rehab start. The White Sox placed Rodon on the 15-day disabled list on July 10 with a sprained left wrist.

UP NEXT

White Sox: RHP Jacob Turner will make his first major league start since 2014 on Sunday when he's recalled to take Rodon's spot in the rotation. Turner missed most of 2015 with elbow issues and has gone 4-7 with a 4.71 ERA in 18 starts for Triple-A Charlotte.

Angels: RHP Jered Weaver looks to continue his career dominance of the White Sox in Sunday's series finale. Weaver is 11-2 with 1.94 ERA in 14 career starts against Chicago and 7-0 since 2011

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