MLB: Seattle 3, LA Angels 0

SEATTLE, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Felix Hernandez and David Aardsma combined to throw a four-hitter Wednesday and carry Seattle to a 3-0 blanking of the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels, who began the night with a 4 1/2-game lead in the American League West, lost for the ninth time in 14 games. Their usually powerful offense has been shut out twice in the past week.

Hernandez (14-5) allowed all four of the Los Angeles hits and struck out six over eight innings. The Angels managed more than one base runner in an inning just once against Hernandez.

Aardsma came on to work a perfect ninth for his 33rd save.

The loss went to Scott Kazmir (8-8), making his first start for the Angels after being obtained in a waiver deal with Tampa Bay.

Kazmir took a shutout into the seventh before giving up two runs on three hits. Only one of the runs was earned.

Mike Sweeney worked a walk against Kazmir to lead off the seventh and scored on Bill Hall's one-out double. After Kevin Jepsen relieved Kazmir, Hall stole third. When the throw by catcher Mike Napoli got away, Hall came in with an unearned run.

Seattle added a run in the ninth when Jepsen walked Adrian Beltre with the bases loaded.