Yanks roll as Tanaka K’s 15

Masahiro Tanaka struck out 15 over seven innings, his highest total since coming to the major leagues, and the playoff-bound Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-0, last night in New York to remain on the edge of AL East contention.

Tanaka (13-12) retired his first 14 batters before Ezequiel Carerra reached on an infield single up the middle just past Tanaka’s glove. Pitching on six days’ rest, Tanaka had a sharp slider and splitter, dominating a team that battered him for eight runs at Toronto on Sept. 22. He allowed three hits and walked none.

David Robertson pitched a hitless eighth, and Dellin Betances allowed a hit, wild pitch and walk in the ninth. Aroldis Chapman got three straight outs to complete the four-hitter for his 21st save in 25 chances.

Indians 10, White Sox 1 — Edwin Encarnacion had a three-run double, and Jay Bruce and Jose Ramirez drove in two runs apiece, leading AL Central champion Cleveland to a win over visiting Chicago.

Rockies 9, Dodgers 1 — Nolan Arenado hit the first of Colorado’s four homers, Chad Bettis picked up his second win since his return from testicular cancer and the hosts beat Los Angeles to remain on the verge of clinching their first postseason spot since 2009.

The Rockies have two games remaining and hold a two-game lead on Milwaukee for the second NL wild-card spot.

Brewers 5, Cardinals 3 — Stephen Vogt homered and drove in three runs, Chase Anderson allowed one run over seven innings, and Milwaukee kept its NL wild card playoff hopes alive with a victory over host St. Louis.

Cubs 5, Reds 4 — Ian Happ hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, and Chicago won for the 14th time in 17 games, beating visiting Cincinnati.

Royals 2, Diamondbacks 1 — Ian Kennedy picked up his first home victory in more than a year as Kansas City defeated visiting Arizona. Kennedy snapped a franchise record of 18 winless home starts.

Nationals 6, Pirates 1 — Stephen Strasburg pitched 72⁄3 shutout innings and Ryan Zimmerman homered twice to help host Washington beat Pittsburgh. Strasburg is 5-1 with a 0.84 ERA since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 19.

Twins 6, Tigers 3 — In Minneapolis, Brian Dozier hit a three-run homer in the second inning, helping the Twins bail Kyle Gibson out of a 3-0 deficit to beat Detroit.

Miguel Sano grounded out as a pinch hitter for Minnesota, his first appearance after missing 38 games with a stress reaction after fouling a ball off his left shin.

Rays 7, Orioles 0 — In St. Petersburg, Fla., Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison homered and Tampa Bay clinched third place in the AL East with a victory over Baltimore.

Rangers 5, Athletics 3 — In Arlington, Texas, ShinSoo Choo tied a career high with his 22nd home run and Texas beat Oakland.

Angels 6, Mariners 5 — Luis Valbuena hit a tworun, pinch-hit double in the eighth inning to cap a fourrun rally as host Los Angeles overcame three Seattle home runs.

Phillies 6, Mets 2 — Maikel Franco, Jorge Alfaro and Cesar Hernandez all homered to support six strong innings from starter Ben Lively as host Philadelphia defeated New York.

Earlier in the day, the Phillies (65-95) announced that manager Pete Mackanin would not return to the dugout in 2018. Mackanin was given a role as a senior advisor to general manager Matt Klentak.

Braves 6, Marlins 5 — Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4 with a single and a double and the Miami slugger remained at 59 home runs as visiting Atlanta prevailed.