Matt Shoemaker keeps scoreless streak going, but Angels lose in 12 innings

There was a time, and not too long ago, when the questions about Matt Shoemaker were unpleasant ones.

Was Shoemaker a one-year wonder? How long could the Angels keep him in their starting rotation? How could he possibly remain there when Jered Weaver came off the disabled list?

There is one question now, and for Shoemaker a much happier one: When will he give up another run?

Shoemaker on Tuesday extended his scoreless streak to 19 innings. If he pitches a scoreless first inning in his next start, his earned-run average would drop below 4.00 for the first time since the fifth inning of his first start this season.

He was long gone by the time Tuesday’s game ended, in the 12th inning, when Giovanny Urshela’s two-run home run against Cam Bedrosian gave the Cleveland Indians a 2-0 victory.

The Angels lost for the 10th time in 12 games. They continue to lead the American League wild-card race, but by narrow margins: one game over the Toronto Blue Jays, two games over the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins, three games over the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers.

Angels closer Huston Street worked a scoreless ninth inning, on six pitches. Manager Mike Scioscia said he did not consider using Street for another inning.

“I don’t think it’s the right time of the year to start to stretch Huston,” Scioscia said.

On Tuesday, Shoemaker pitched six scoreless innings and tied his career high with 10 strikeouts. He gave up five hits, but the Indians got one runner as far as third base against him. That came in the fifth inning, when a two-out walk loaded the bases, but Shoemaker escaped by striking out Francisco Lindor.

He became the first Angels starter with consecutive starts of at least six scoreless innings and no decision in each since Hall of Fame member Nolan Ryan in 1978.

Shoemaker emerged as an unsung hero last summer, a nondrafted free agent who tied Hall of Famer Tom Seaver for the most victories, 16, by a nondrafted rookie born in the United States and starting his career during the draft era.

He struck out more batters in his first 10 starts than anyone in club history. He had streaks of 232/3 innings without a run and 241/3 innings without a walk.

And, although he could not crack the starting five at the start of the season, he was one of the Angels’ three starters in the playoffs.

“Everything he did last year was so spectacular,” Scioscia said. “You’re seeing stuff reminiscent of last year.”

Shoemaker’s ERA remained above 5.00 through June. In his six appearances since then, he has a 1.44 ERA in 311/3 innings, with seven walks and 33 strikeouts.

He attributed the success to improved command and mechanics and said he is “definitely” back to where he was last year.

“If not, pretty close,” Shoemaker said.

For all the excellence of Shoemaker on Tuesday, Carlos Carrasco outdid him.

Carrasco carried a perfect game into the fourth inning, a no-hitter into the fifth. He shut out the Angels for nine innings.

Up next

Hector Santiago (7-5, 2.70 ERA) faces the Indians’ Danny Salazar (9-6, 3.47) on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: FS West; Radio: 830, 1330.