Angels push M’s to brink

ANAHEIM, Calif. – John Lackey pitched a five-hitter and rookie Tom Gregorio had a two-run single as the Anaheim Angels beat Seattle 4-0 Wednesday, pushing the Mariners to the brink of postseason elimination.

Seattle’s seventh loss in 11 games meant Boston clinched no worse than a tie for the AL wild-card berth.

For Seattle to tie the Red Sox, it would have to sweep a three-game series from Oakland, and Boston would have to lose its final five games, including Wednesday night’s matchup with Baltimore.

Lackey (10-16) struck out four and walked two in his second complete game this season. He had lost his previous three starts and five of six.

Gil Meche (15-13) pitched because Ryan Franklin had a stiff neck Wednesday morning and allowed three runs and six hits in five innings. Meche had pitched on Sunday, but threw only 45 pitches and gave up five runs in the second inning of a 12-0 loss to Oakland.

Gregorio singled with one out in the fourth after Scott Spiezio reached on a fielder’s choice, Adam Kennedy doubled and Wilson Delgado loaded the bases with a walk. They were the first RBIs of Gregorio’s major league career.

Alfredo Amezaga followed with an RBI single. The Angels added a run in the eighth on Spiezio’s sacrifice fly.

Lackey pitched out of a jam in the fourth. Bret Boone singled with one out and tried to score on John Olerud’s doublet. But shortstop Amezaga took the throw from Garret Anderson and threw to the plate, where Gregorio tagged out Boone.

Notes:@ Angels manager Mike Scioscia said LHP Jarrod Washburn might be able to make his final scheduled start, on Sunday against Texas. Washburn left his last start after three innings of a 5-1 loss to Seattle on Monday because a sore right ankle. He hurt it in his previous start. … Seattle DH Edgar Martinez needs two RBIs to reach 100 for the seventh time in his career. … Anderson needs two doubles to become one of four active players with 50 in consecutive seasons. The others are Craig Biggio, Martinez and Todd Helton. Tris Speaker was the first to do it, in 1920-21. … Lackey was 3-1 down the stretch last season to help the Angels make the playoffs and became the first rookie since 1909 to win Game 7 of the World Series.