Jon Lester Throws Complete Game Shutout for A's; Hyun-Jin Ryu Leads Dodgers over Angels, 7-0

Players of the Day for Thursday, August 7, 2013

American League

Jon Lester

Just a few weeks ago, in what has been referred to as the blockbuster trade of the season, Oakland acquired lefty Jon Lester from the Red Sox in exchange for, among other players and cash, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

That deal has already begun to benefit the A's, who took a three-game lead in the AL West over the Angels as Lester tossed a 3-0 shutout of the Twins Thursday in Oakland.

The win was Lester's second straight for the Athletics in as many starts. This past Saturday, he went 6 2/3 innings for his new team in an 8-3 win over Kansas City. Thursday's effort was his first complete game and shutout of the season.

Lester allowed three hits and walked two while striking out eight would-be Twins hitters. He threw 83 of 122 pitches for strikes, improving to 12-7 on the year.

Game two of the four-game series is set for a 7:05 pm PDT start Friday.

Hyun-Jin Ryu

National League

Finishing off their four-game home-and-home series with the Angels with a 7-0 victory, the Dodgers opened their largest lead of the season in the NL West Thursday, going 3 1/2 up on the flailing Giants, who lost, 3-1, at Milwaukee.

Hyun-Jin Ryu kept the Angels in check, hurling seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk. Ryu struck out four and got 12 outs on ground balls.

The win was the fourth in Ryu's last five starts, putting his record at 13-5, among the leaders in the National League. The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright and Milwakee's Wily Peralta each have 14 wins.

It was the third straight win for the Dodgers, who took three of four from the Angels. The Dodgers head for Milwaukee to open a three-game series with the Central division-leading Brewers on Friday. Game time is 8:10 pm EDT.