Tanaka sharp as Yankees fly past Angels

NEW YORK: Masahiro Tanaka pitched six sharp innings and struck out Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani twice as the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Sunday.

Brett Gardner had three hits for New York, who won five of six against the Angels this season.

Although Ohtani was pushed back from Sunday’s scheduled start due to what the Angels called “workload management,’’ Tanaka (6-2) held up his end up of the highly anticipated pitchers’ duel that never materialised. Tanaka struck out eight and allowed just Andrelton Simmons’ sixthinning home run in his longest outing in nearly a month.

Pitching on his 30th birthday, Angels right-hander Garrett Richards (4-4) allowed three runs over 2 1/3 innings and matched a season high with five walks.

Aroldis Chapman walked Ohtani to begin the ninth, but struck out a pair to earn his 10th save in 11 chances.

At Boston, prized rookie Ronald Acuna Jr took a high-flying tumble while beating out an infield hit, exiting Atlanta’s 7-1 win with knee and lower back pain.

Acuna waved his arms “safe’’ as he crossed first base before his left foot gave out in the seventh inning, and he went sprawling. He walked off the field slowly, passing on a wheel chair that was rolled out for him. Mike Foltynewicz (4-3) took a no-hit bid into the sixth and went seven innings. Tyler Flowers hit a three-run homer off Red Sox ace Chris Sale (5-2), salvaging the finale of a three-game interleague series.

At Cleveland, Rookie Greg Allen homered on Brad Peacock’s first pitch in the 14th inning, lifting Cleveland to a wild 10-9 win over Houston.

Allen’s first homer of the season landed Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka throws to the Angels.

in the seats in right and triggered a celebration for the Indians, who rallied twice to overcome another impressive performance for Jose Altuve. Cleveland scored five runs in the ninth. Michael Brantley’s two-out RBI single off Hector Rondon tied it at 8.

Evan Gattis’ two-out homer off Dan Otero (1-1) gave Houston a 9-8 lead in the 13th, but Yonder Alonso responded with a lead-off drive against Collin McHugh in the bottom half.

Altuve had four hits and drove in two runs. The reigning AL MVP had a streak of 10 consecutive hits, breaking his own club record, before he lined out to centre in the ninth.