BOSTON — John Lackey nearly pitched baseball's third straight no-hitter at Fenway Park. And that wasn't the only exciting thing the Los Angeles Angels did yesterday.

Hours after the AL West leaders acquired slugger Mark Teixeira in a trade, Lackey came within two outs of a no-hitter to lead Los Angeles past the Boston Red Sox, 6-2.

The right-hander appeared headed for the history books until Dustin Pedroia grounded a sharp single through the left side with one out in the ninth inning.

Kevin Youkilis followed with a home run over the Green Monster to spoil the shutout bid, but Lackey finished the two-hitter to help the Angels improve the major league's best record to 66-40.

"A no-hitter would have been nice," Lackey said. "You know what's going on, but it wasn't affecting me. I just wanted to win the game."

Pedroia said Lackey threw him a slider on the first pitch for a called strike, then tried another.

"Even the pitch he threw was a good pitch. I just got the barrel on it," Pedroia said. "He was awesome. He put on a show. We hit some balls hard, but right at guys."

Lackey (9-2) almost became the first visiting pitcher in 50 years to toss a no-hitter at Fenway, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Hall of Famer Jim Bunning did it for Detroit on July 20, 1958.

The AL leader in ERA last season, Lackey struck out four and walked two in his 12th career complete game and second this year. He missed the first six weeks of the season with a strained triceps.

As he left the field, he received polite applause from the remnants of a sold-out crowd.

Red Sox fans are growing accustomed to great pitching performances. The past two major league no-hitters were thrown by Boston pitchers at Fenway Park, immortalized by John Updike as a "lyric little bandbox."

Jon Lester's gem in May followed Clay Buchholz's no-hitter last September in his second big league start. Buchholz was the losing pitcher last night.

"I was more aware actually of him throwing it than I was when I was out there," Buchholz said. "It's something special to watch. It's a lot more fun when it's one of us."

Lackey showed no emotion following Pedroia's single, but he barked for a new ball after Youkilis' home run.

"I don't want to say I was crushed, but it was a tough feeling," Angels catcher Jeff Mathis said. "I was trying not to shake so bad, and was really nervous. I've never been involved in something like that."

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the disappointment was felt through the dugout — even though his team won for the 11th time in 13 games.

"Your heart drops a little," he said. "You aren't going to get a better-pitched game than that. Against that lineup, pitching that well, that deep into the game — that's just a great performance by Lackey."

Lackey allowed just two baserunners — on a hit batsman and a walk — in the first six innings.

David Ortiz led off the seventh with a long drive that Vladimir Guerrero caught with a hop just a few steps in front of the short bullpen wall in right. Manny Ramirez followed with a chopper down the third-base line; Chone Figgins' throw pulled first baseman Robb Quinlan off the bag, but since Ramirez was in a brisk jog he was out anyway.

The fans let Ramirez know they didn't think he was hustling, booing the enigmatic outfielder who could be traded before tomorrow's deadline.

Orioles 7, Yankees 6: Daniel Cabrera (7-6) allowed three runs and eight hits before being ejected after hitting Alex Rodriguez with his first pitch in the bottom of the eighth, and Aubrey Huff had four RBIs to lead Baltimore over New York for its third straight victory.

Rodriguez hit his 22nd homer for New York, which has lost three straight after winning its first eight games following the All-Star break.

Rays 3, Blue Jays 0: Matt Garza (9-6) threw a five-hitter for his first career shutout, and Tampa Bay beat Roy Halladay (12-8) —who allowed three runs and six hits in eight innings — for the third time this season.

Eric Hinske hit a solo homer and Evan Longoria added a two-run triple for the Rays, who backed Garza with three double plays.

Tigers 8, Indians 5: Brandon Inge homered and drove in three runs, Miguel Cabrera hit his 18th homer and Edgar Renteria had a two-run double to lead visiting Detroit past Cleveland.

Armando Galarraga (9-4) retired the first nine Indians in order before running into trouble in the middle innings. He gave up three runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings, improving to 3-0 this year against Cleveland.

Twins 6, White Sox 5: Justin Morneau's bases-clearing double capped a five-run fifth to help host Minnesota rally from a four-run deficit and close within a half-game of first-place Chicago in the AL Central.

Glen Perkins (8-3) held the White Sox scoreless in the sixth and four relievers preserved the win, with Joe Nathan working the ninth for his 29th save.

Rangers 11, Mariners 10: Ramon Vazquez atoned for three errors with a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth that lifted Texas over Seattle.

The Rangers, who wasted a seven-run lead after three innings, trailed 10-9 in the bottom of the ninth. Marlon Byrd and Chris Davis singled off Seattle closer J.J. Putz (2-4). After an out, Vazquez drove in two runs.

Royals 5, Athletics 2: John Buck and Mike Aviles hit home runs and Gil Meche (9-9) gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings, helping Kansas City beat Oakland for its fourth consecutive road victory.

Aviles' solo shot in the sixth gave the Royals a 2-1 lead and Buck added a three-run homer in the seventh. The A's have lost 11 of their last 13 games and own the majors' worst record (2-9) since the All-Star Break.