NEW YORK -- Max Scherzer pitched his second no-hitter this season for Washington, striking out a team-record 17 and leading the Nationals over the NL East champion New York Mets 2-0 Saturday night for a doubleheader sweep.
Only one batter reached base against Scherzer, and that came when third baseman Yunel Escobar bounced a throw for an error on Kevin Plawecki's leadoff grounder in the sixth inning.
The All-Star righty became just the sixth pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a year, and the first since Roy Halladay in 2010 -- the former Phillies ace had one in the regular season and another in the playoffs.
Scherzer struck out nine straight batters before Curtis Granderson hit an easy popup to Escobar to end it on his 109th pitch (see full story).
Angels score 5 in 9th, beat Rangers 11-10
ARLINGTON, Texas -- After their biggest rally this season, the Los Angeles Angels are going into the final day of the regular season with a chance to reach the playoffs.
"It's almost surreal to come back in that situation," said Johnny Giavotello, whose tiebreaking RBI single capped a five-run ninth inning for the Angels in an 11-10 victory over the playoff-bound Texas Rangers on Saturday. "We never lost faith."
Erick Aybar and Kole Calhoun started the ninth with consecutive homers off Shawn Tolleson, the Rangers closer appearing in his fifth consecutive game. The Angels then strung together four consecutive two-out singles off Ross Ohlendorf (3-1).
MLB
"It's probably the craziest game I've been a part of, with everything we've got on the line," Mike Trout said. "We lose that game, we're in trouble."
The Angels, who won the AL West last season, entered Saturday one game behind Houston for the AL's second wild card (see full story).
Twins eliminated from wild card with 5-1 loss to Royals
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins' surprising run for a playoff spot came down to the final innings on the next to last day of season.
Minnesota was eliminated from the AL wild-card race Saturday, getting stifled by Yordano Ventura for seven innings in a 5-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Blaine Boyer (3-6) allowed two runs, one earned, while getting two outs for the Twins (83-78), who weren't expected to contend this season with a young squad led by rookie manager Paul Molitor. But Minnesota began play Saturday two games back of Houston for the second wild-card spot (see full story).