Indians, Pirates both pick up rare victories

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND — Fausto Carmona pitched six strong innings and the Cleveland Indians ended their 11-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

The Indians improved to 4-19 in September and avoided tying the franchise record of 12 straight losses set in 1931. Luis Valbuena homered and Carmona (4-12) won for the first time since Aug. 23.

The Orioles have lost eight consecutive games and center fielder Felix Pie went down in the seventh inning with an injury to his upper left leg. Pie fell to the ground in pain when he crossed first base after he hit into a double play. He couldn’t put any weight on his leg as he was helped off the field.

Baltimore’s skid is its longest since it dropped 10 in a row Sept. 17-26, 2008.

Carmona allowed two runs and nine hits, struck out six and walked one.

Kerry Wood pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 25 appearances.

Pirates 3, Dodgers 1

PITTSBURGH — Brandon Moss’ two-run single gave Pittsburgh an early lead and the Pirates, stuck in their worst slump since 1984, used five pitchers to beat Los Angeles.

The Dodgers, who own the NL’s best record at 92-62, could have secured their third playoff appearance in four seasons with a win or a Braves loss, but Atlanta beat Washington 4-1 to stay in the wild-card race for at least one more day.

The Dodgers’ magic number for repeating as the NL West champion remained at four.

Los Angeles had won 11 of 15 and the Pirates — long since assured of a record 17th consecutive losing season — had lost nine of 10, but two costly infield errors by the Dodgers led to all of Pittsburgh’s scoring. Despite winning, the Pirates have lost 23 of 27 during their worst slide since they dropped 24 of 28 from July 13-Aug. 15, 1985.

Right-hander Jon Garland (11-12) lost for the first time in four decisions since being traded to the Dodgers, giving up three runs and six hits in six innings. Garland was 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in his first four starts with Los Angeles, beating the Pirates 6-2 on Sept. 14.

With right-hander Ross Ohlendorf shut down for the season because he has pitched 176 2/3 innings, manager John Russell used five pitchers from his bullpen to beat the Dodgers in Pittsburgh for only the eighth time in 31 games since PNC Park opened in 2001.