Indians and Yankees advance
MINNEAPOLIS: The Cleveland Indians won their ninth straight game and took sole possession of the AL wild-card lead on the next-to-last scheduled day of the regular season, beating Minnesota 5-1 Saturday behind Scott Kazmir’s 11 strikeouts.
Seeking their first postseason appearance since 2007, the Indians (91-70) hold a one-game lead over Tampa Bay and Texas (both 90-71).
Cleveland is assured of at least a tie for the AL wild card. With three teams seeking the two wild cards, Late yesterday’s results could decide the matter or lead to one or two tiebreaker games at the start of next week. After a rain delay of 2 hours, 26 minutes at the start, Kazmir (10-9) allowed one run and six hits in six innings. Cole De Vries (0-2) allowed five runs in five innings.
YANKEES 2, ASTROS 1
In Houston, Andy Pettitte completed his career in a most fitting fashion. The 41year-old left-hander pitched a five-hitter for his first complete game since 2006, leading the New York Yankees over his hometown Houston Astros.
“It couldn’t end any better,” Pettitte said, trying to hold back tears. Houston extended its team-record losing streak to 14 with its 110th loss of the season. Pettitte (11-11) never had a losing record in 18 major league seasons. He was 256-153 with a 3.85 ERA and excelled in October, where he compiled a record 19 postseason wins. He struck out five and walked two in a 115pitch effort. Paul Clemens (4-7) took the loss.
BLUE JAYS 7, RAYS 2
In Toronto, the Tampa Bay Rays dropped into a tie with Texas for the second AL wildcard berth, losing to Toronto as Ryan Goins and Kevin Pillar hit two-run homers.
The Rays and Rangers are even, one game behind Cleveland. AJ Happ (5-7) got the win. Alex Torres (4-2) lost in relief. On Sunday, Matt Moore (16-4) starts for the Rays against Blue Jays rookie right-hander Todd Redmond.
RANGERS 7, ANGELS 4
In Arlington, Craig Gentry doubled, scored and bunted home a run, helping the Texas Rangers beat the sloppy Los Angeles Angels for its sixth straight win.
The Rangers, trying to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, and Tampa Bay are tied for the second AL wild-card spot, a game behind Cleveland.
The Angels made five errors for a game for the first time since Sept. 16, 2006, also at Texas. Garrett Richards (7-8) threw two wild pitches and made an error. Joakim Soria (1-0) got his first major league victory since July 23, 2011, and Joe Nathan got his 43rd save in 46 chances.
The 11:07 a.m. start was the earliest home game in the 42 seasons the Rangers have played in Texas - the game was moved up eight hours because of the threat of bad weather. Nathan closed it out in heavy rain.
ORIOLES 6, RED SOX 5
In Baltimore, Steve Pearce drove in the go-ahead runs with a double in the eighth inning and the Baltimore Orioles rallied to a 6-5 win over the Boston Red Sox, who clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason earlier in the day.
The victory brought a measure of consolation for the Orioles, making them the only AL East team to win the season series against the Red Sox.
Boston was assured of the best record in the American League when Oakland lost to Seattle with one day to spare in the regular season. The Red Sox will open their division series at Fenway Park on Friday against the winner of the wild-card playoff - either Cleveland, Tampa Bay or Texas.
Kevin Gausman (3-5) pitched 1 1-3 innings to get the win, and Jim Johnson pitched the ninth for his 49th save. Junichi Tazawa (5-4) took the loss.
MARINERS 7, ATHLETICS 5
In Seattle, Brad Miller hit a pair of home runs, including his first grand slam, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics in a game that decided division-series matchups in the American League.
The AL West champion A’s will host their playoff opener next Friday against Central winner Detroit. Brandon Maurer (5-8) got the win and Danny Farquhar got his 16th save in 20 chances. Jarrod Parker (12-8) allowed seven runs and seven hits - including three homers - in 4 1-3 inning.
WHITE SOX 6, ROYALS 5
In Chicago, Adam Dunn and Conor Gillaspie each hit two-run homers and the Chicago White Sox topped the Kansas City Royals. After the game, the Chicago White Sox announced they had fired hitting coach Jeff Manto.
Marcus Semien and Jordan Danks added solo homers for the White Sox. Mike Moustakas, Billy Butler and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. All 11 runs in the game came on homers. Erik Johnson (3-2) won and Addison Reed got his 40th save. Yordano Ventura (0-1) took the loss.—AP