MLB: Minnesota within one game of first playoff berth since 2010 season.
CLEVELAND — Brian Dozier’s three-run homer in the eighth inning pushed Minnesota to the brink of a playoff berth as the Twins rallied for an 8-6 victory over Cleveland on Tuesday night. The Indians lost for just the third time in 32 games.
Dozier connected for his 33rd homer against Bryan Shaw (4-6) as the Twins lowered their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to one.
Edwin Encarnacion hit his 38th homer and drove in four runs for the Indians, whose 29-3 mark over 32 games is the best in the majors since the 1947 New York Yankees accomplished the feat.
Taylor Rogers (7-3), one of a club-record 10 pitchers used by Twins manager Paul Molitor, got two outs in the seventh and Matt Belisle worked the ninth for his eighth save.
YANKEES 6, RAYS 1
In New York, Aaron Hicks robbed Wilson Ramos of a first-inning grand slam in the outfielder’s return from the disabled list, and the Yankees clinched home-field advantage if they end up in the AL wild-card game next week.
Tampa Bay’s first three batters reached against rookie Jordan Montgomery (9-7), and Hicks leaped at the 385-foot sign in rightcenter to get his glove above the wall. He squeezed the webbing tight, preventing the ball from popping out and limiting Ramos to a sacrifice fly.
Assured no worse than a wildcard berth, the Yankees closed within three games of AL East-leading Boston with five remaining.
Tampa Bay (76-81) was eliminated from playoff contention and missed the postseason for the fourth straight year. Blake Snell (4-7) got the loss.
BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 4
In Boston, Red Sox ace Chris Sale matched a career worst by giving up four home runs in a playoff tuneup, including a pair to Josh Donaldson.
Teoscar Hernandez hit one of his two homers off Sale, and Kendrys Morales had the other against the left-hander. Sale (17-8) allowed five runs in five innings and surrendered multiple homers for the third time in five starts.
J.A. Happ (10-11) struck out nine while pitching seven strong innings for the last-place Blue Jays. He was charged with one run and four hits.
ASTROS 14, RANGERS 3
In Arlington, Texas, Carlos Correa, Brian McCann and Cameron Maybin each drove in three runs, and Houston clinched no worse than the second-best record in the American League.
Houston (97-60) trails Cleveland by one game with five to play in the race for the league’s best record. The Indians own the tiebreaker, having won the season series.
Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (14-5) struck out eight while pitching six effective innings.
Rangers ace Cole Hamels (11-5) was charged with six runs in threeplus innings.
BREWERS 7, REDS 6
In Milwaukee, Domingo Santana hit a three-run homer in the Brewers’ four-run first, and Milwaukee held on for the win.
Milwaukee remained 1½ games behind Colorado for the second NL wild card. Josh Hader (2-3) earned the win, and Corey Knebel worked the ninth for his 38th save.
Scott Schebler, Zack Cozart and Jesse Winker homered for last-place Cincinnati, which has dropped seven in a row. Rookie Deck McGuire (0-1) allowed four earned runs in three innings.
PHILLIES 4, NATIONALS 1
In Philadelphia, Jake Thompson pitched four-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Phillies spoiled Bryce Harper’s return from a knee injury.
With the loss, Washington locked itself into the second seed in the NL playoffs behind the Dodgers. The Nationals will host the NL Central champion in a Division Series beginning Oct. 6 at Nationals Park.
Thompson (3-2) was charged with a run in five-plus innings. Hector Neris struck out the side in the ninth for his 25th save.
Harper played for the first time since hyperextending and bruising his left knee on Aug. 12. He was 0 for 2 with a walk before being lifted in the fifth inning.
Washington left-hander Gio Gonzalez (15-8) allowed three runs in five innings.