Houck leads Sox to win in finale

BALTIMORE — Tanner Houck threw six innings of one-hit ball and the last-place Boston Red Sox earned a split in the four-game series against the AL East champion Baltimore Orioles with a 6-1 victory Sunday in the regular-season finale.

The Orioles have homefield advantage throughout the American League playoffs and will host a Division Series opener starting Oct. 7.

Houck (6-10) did not allow a hit until Anthony Santander singled up the middle with two outs in the sixth. Houck had six strikeouts and three walks on 87 pitches.

Boston finished 7884, the same record as last year.

Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde wanted to keep his team healthy and rested for the playoffs and used eight pitchers in the game.

Kyle Bradish, who could start Game 1 of the Division Series, threw two scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

The Red Sox took advantage of a couple of miscues for a 2-0 lead in the third off Danny Coulombe (5-3). Third baseman Jordan Westburg could not handle a throw by James McCann on a double steal that allowed Enmanuel Valdez to score. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson then bobbled a sharp grounder by Rafael Devers that gave Boston its second run.

Devers was credited with his 100th RBI of the season.

Royals 5, Yankees 2: Zack Greinke threw fourhit ball into the sixth inning for his 225th win and, backed by a trio of home runs, helped host Kansas City beat New York to end its season and quite possibly his own 20-year big league career.

Greinke (2-15) had just allowed a leadoff walk when Matt Quatraro walked to the mound. The six-time All-Star tried to give his manager the ball but Quatraro gave it right back, and the 39-year-old Greinke stuck it in his pocket as he walked off the mound to a standing ovation — one that required the famously reserved Greinke to come out for a curtain call.

Greinke can become free agent after this season, and while he has yet to announce whether he will retire.

Michael King (4-8) had a forgettable finale to an otherwise excellent end of the year for New York. He'd allowed one earned run or fewer in his previous seven starts before serving up a trio of homers among eight hits that led to four runs Sunday.

Phillies 9, Mets 1: Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning, sending playoff-bound Philadelphia to a victory.

Bryce Harper and the Phillies will head home to face the Miami Marlins in a best-of-three National League wild-card series starting Tuesday.