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 Tuesday.

Hours after the American League 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 leagues’ 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 Tuesday 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.”

Also on Tuesday: AMERICAN LEAGUE

Orioles 7

Yankees 6

NEW YORK — Daniel Cabrera pitched into the eighth inning before being ejected, and Aubrey Huff had four RBIs for Baltimore, which won its third straight. Kevin Millar homered as the Orioles clinched their first series win since they took two of three against the Cubs from June 24-26 at Wrigley Field.

Rays 3

Blue Jays 0

TORONTO — Matt Garza threw a five-hitter for his first career shutout, and Tampa Bay beat Roy Halladay for the third time in three games this season. Eric Hinske hit a solo homer and Evan Longoria added a two-run triple for the Rays.

Tigers 8

Indians 5

CLEVELAND — Brandon Inge homered and drove in three runs for Detroit. 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 513 innings, improving to 3-0 this year against Cleveland.

Twins 6

White Sox 5

MINNEAPOLIS — Justin Morneau’s bases-clearing double capped a five-run fifth to help Minnesota rally from a four-run deficit. The win moved the Twins within a half-game of Chicago, which has been atop the AL Central since May 17.

Rangers 11

Mariners 10

ARLINGTON, Texas — Ramon Vazquez atoned for three errors with a two-run double in the ninth that gave Texas the win. 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

OAKLAND, Calif. — John Buck and Mike Aviles hit home runs and Gil Meche allowed five hits over seven innings as Kansas City won its fourth consecutive road game. Aviles’ solo shot in the sixth gave the Royals a 2-1 lead and Buck added a three-run homer in the seventh. NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cubs 7

Brewers 1

MILWAUKEE — Carlos Zambrano outpitched fellow ace Ben Sheets again, and Chicago scored five runs in the sixth to beat the Brewers, assuring the Cubs they will leave Milwaukee leading the NL Central. Zambrano (12-4) threw eight scoreless innings, striking out a season-high nine while scattering five hits and two walks to lift the Cubs to their sixth win in the last eight games in Milwaukee.

Mets 4

Marlins 1

MIAMI — Carlos Delgado hit a two-run homer and New York’s Oliver Perez pitched six innings for his first victory in a month. Florida, which had six hits, fell two games behind the NL East leaders.

Phillies 2

Nationals 1

WASHINGTON — Brett Myers won for only the second time in 15 outings for Philadelphia and Chase Utley backed him with a two-run homer. Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth for his 25th save in as many chances.

Cardinals 8

Braves 3

ATLANTA — Albert Pujols homered to tie the game and scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error before St. Louis broke it open with a five-run ninth. The Cardinals won their second straight after a stretch of six losses in seven games. The Braves have surrendered 42 runs during a four-game losing streak.

Pirates 6

Rockies 4

PITTSBURGH — Luis Rivas had three hits, three RBIs and finished a home run short of the cycle, as Pittsburgh rallied for a second straight game to beat Colorado. Nate McLouth and Jason Bay both had two hits for the Pirates, who came back from a 4-0 deficit.

Astros 6

Reds 2

HOUSTON — Carlos Lee hit his 12th career grand slam and Brian Moehler came within one out of a complete game for Houston. Moehler (6-4) allowed seven hits and struck out three in 823 innings, his longest outing of the season.

Dodgers 2

Giants 0

LOS ANGELES — Jason Johnson pitched six sharp innings in his first big league start in nearly two years, James Loney singled in the go-ahead run and Los Angeles beat San Francisco.

Diamondbacks 3

Padres 0

SAN DIEGO — Doug Davis gave up a single with two outs in the seventh inning to break up his bid for a perfect game and Arizona beat San Diego. The Padres had not come close to reaching base against Davis through 623 innings before Brian Giles hit a line drive to center field on a 2-2 pitch.