The Valley Invitational Baseball League playoffs begin tonight with top-seeded West Ranch taking on the Spartans in the first round of the 32-team field.

Valencia is the ninth-seed in the playoffs and will open at home against the Braves. Saugus is the No. 10 seed and plays the Gas House Gang at home in the first round.

In other games, Hart is on the road at Loyola, Golden Valley travels to Harvard-Westlake and Canyon is home against Woodland Hills West.

All games are scheduled to start at 5 tonight.

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In the major leagues, the Rangers shut out the Angels, 7-0, and won their 12^th games in a row. Rangers starter Alexi Ogando tossed eight shut out innings gave up only four hits.

In other games, the Tigers beat the A’s, 8-3, and the Blue Jays beat the Mariners, 6-5, in 14 innings.

The Orioles beat the Red Sox, 6-2, the Rays beat the Yankees, 3-2, the Royals beat the White Sox, 4-2, and the Twins beat the Indians, 2-1.

In the National League, the Brewers clobbered the Diamondbacks, 11-3, hitting five home runs and three in the first inning. Ryan Braun hit one in his return from the disabled list and Yenuiesky Betancourt hit two. The Rockies pounded the Braves, 12-3, and the Padres shut out the Marlins, 4-0.

The Pirates blanked the Reds, 1-0, the Mets doubled up on the Cardinals, 4-2, the Phillies beat the Cubs, 4-2 and the Astros slipped past the Nationals, 7-6.

Follow Tim Haddock on Twitter @thaddock.

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