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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The last time the Los Angeles Angels faced Taijuan Walker, they had their way with him and knocked him out of the game in the first inning.On Tuesday night, they barely got any hits off him.Walker pitched a three-hitter for his first career shutout as the Seattle Mariners beat the Angels 8-0 to win their season-high seventh straight.In his last start against Los Angeles on Sept 3, Walker gave up five earned runs in only two-thirds of an inning, his shortest start of the season.It was night and day the way we faced him up in Seattle a couple weeks ago, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. He had good stuff, good command. He pitched a good game for them.Following that start 10 days earlier, Seattle pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre helped Walker change his mechanics.The change paid off, as he was also able to strike out Mike Trout three times Tuesday. Coming into the game, Trout was hitting .818 with three home runs and six RBI against Walker.Kaleb Cowart spoiled Walkers perfect game bid when he reached on throwing error by shortstop Ketel Marte with two outs in the sixth inning.Walker (6-10) still had a no-hitter going, until Kole Calhoun came through with a leadoff single through the right side in the seventh inning. Only two balls left the infield until that hit. Walker matched a career high with 11 strikeouts -- the fifth time hes reached that mark. It was his first complete game since July 31, 2015.My legs were getting heavy, my stomach was starting to tingle, Walker said. The game was so long, it was taking forever. The offense was going out there every single inning and getting hits and I was just like, `Ugh, this is getting longer. But right after I went out there and gave up the hit I felt really good. I got a chance to go from the stretch and I feel really good going from the stretch.Nelson Cruz and Norichika Aoki hit home runs and Seth Smith hit a grand slam to close the scoring.Angels rookie Alex Meyer (0-3) gave up four earned runs and five hits over four innings in his fourth major league appearance.Ive just got to do a better job of mixing in off-speed earlier, Meyer said. I tried to do too much with my fastball early on, especially when I was behind. They were jumping all over that and I wasnt able to throw it by anybody tonight.Smiths grand slam, his second this season, came off of reliever Mike Morin with two outs in the sixth. He drove Morins 1-1 off-speed offering over the scoreboard and into the right field stands.The Mariners hit Meyer -- acquired from Minnesota along with Ricky Nolasco at the trade deadline -- hard from the beginning. Cruz launched a massive two-run shot that nearly reached the concourse in left field in the first inning and Leonys Martin scored on sac fly in the second before Aokis home run, making the score 4-0.The ball to Cruz was supposed to be a fastball away and it came back over the middle of the plate, Meyer said. I didnt get any swing and miss on my fastball tonight, which was not ideal. I threw a lot more changeups tonight than I ever have in a start.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: LHP Tyler Skaggs will miss his start with left forearm soreness and will undergo an MRI. Skaggs had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and was slated to make his 10th start since his return. Manager Mike Scioscia said the MRI is precautionary given his injury history. SS Andrelton Simmons remained out of the lineup for the second straight day with a bruised right hand. Simmons injured the hand in Sundays series finale against the Rangers and is day-to-day.UP NEXTMariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma will take the mound in the series finale. Iwakuma has lost his last two straight starts against Los Angeles but is 8-5 with a 2.90 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) against the Angels.Angels: RHP Jhoulys Chacin will take Skaggs place in the rotation. Chacin will come out of the bullpen to make his 14th start of the season. Hes 3-6 with a 6.54 ERA as a starter. .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia coach Kirby Smart says defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter will undergo intensified education, counseling, and medical assistance after his DUI arrest last weekend.It was Ledbetters second alcohol-related arrest since March.A statement released Monday by Georgia did not indicate what kind of discipline Ledbetter faces to remain on the football team.His first arrest, for using a fake ID and possessing alcohol, resulted in a university-mandated, one-game suspension for student-athletes.Certainly we are disappointed and recognize he has a serious problem, Smart said. We have provided help for him previously and we are committed to providing whatever assistance is necessary for Joonathan that will contribute to immediate improvement but also ensure that his long-term well-being is secure.ddddddddddddLedbetter, a sophomore who was expected to compete for a starting job, apologized in the statement to family, teammates, coaches, the university and Georgia fans.I have a problem and have received an incredible amount of support and treatment through the Athletic Department for the problem, Ledbetter said. For that I am thankful. I ask for everyones support as I continue to receive additional treatment for this disease and work toward a healthy life. ' ' '
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