Tribe happy at home for ALDS
Indians manager Terry Francona sat in the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, moments after a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, and knew only that the Red Sox awaited his club in the postseason.
He didn’t know where the series would begin. That was still to be determined by games elsewhere.
Before long, Francona knew his destination: Home to Cleveland.
The Tigers’ loss to the Braves coupled with the Red Sox’ loss to the Blue Jays gave Cleveland (94-67) home-field advantage in the divisional round. The newly minted AL Central champions open against the Red Sox on Thursday at Progressive Field. Orioles 5, Yankees 2 — Matt Wieters homered from both sides of the plate, Kevin Gausman gave Baltimore a clutch pitching performance and snagged a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season by beating host New York.
Baltimore will play at AL East rival Toronto in the wild card game tomorrow for a chance to face AL West champion Texas.
Rays 6, Rangers 4 — In Arlington, Texas, Alexei Ramirez had four hits and Tampa Bay beat AL West champion Texas. Athletics 3, Mariners 2 — Stephen Vogt hit his 14th home run in the first inning and visiting Oakland held on for a win over Seattle.
Angels 8, Astros 1 — Mike Trout stole his 30th base and drove in his 100th run as Los Angeles beat Houston in Anaheim, Calif. Twins 6, White Sox 3 — Byron Buxton hit the game’s first pitch for an inside-the-park home run and visiting Minnesota beat Chicago in the final game for Robin Ventura as White Sox manager.
National League
Phillies 5, Mets 2 — Cesar Hernandez hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning and host Philadelphia beat playoff-bound New York during Ryan Howard’s farewell game with the Phillies. Diamondbacks 3, Padres 2— Pinch-hitter Phil Gosselin’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted Arizona to a win over San Diego in Phoenix. Giants 7, Dodgers 1— Host San Francisco made it into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, securing the second NL wild card with a win over Los Angeles to complete a three-game sweep.
San Francisco plays at the Mets on Wednesday in the NL wild card game. The winner will face the Cubs.
Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully ended his 67-year career, calling his final game.
Cubs 7, Reds 4 — Matt Szczur doubled home two runs with two outs in the ninth inning, and Miguel Montero followed with a homer as visiting Chicago beat Cincinnati for victory No. 103. Brewers 6, Rockies 4 — Andrew Susac hit his first homer of the season, a tworun drive in the 10th inning that lifted Milwaukee over Colorado in Denver. Nationals 10, Marlins 7 — Max Scherzer earned his 20th victory of the season and drove in a careerhigh four runs to help host Washington beat Miami.
The NL East champion Nationals will face the Dodgers in the division series. Cardinals 10, Pirates 4 — Matt Carpenter homered and Randal Grichuk keyed a six-run seventh inning with a two-run double as host St. Louis finished the season with a win over Pittsburgh but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Interleague
Braves 1, Tigers 0 — Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention when Julio Teheran matched a career high with 12 strikeouts and Freddie Freeman hit a first-inning sacrifice fly as Atlanta won the last game at Turner Field.