Around the majors
Brewers 5, Cubs 4: Scooter Gennett hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the seventh inning, and visiting Milwaukee spoiled Chicago’s first opportunity to clinch the NL Central title. Chicago (93-53) was hoping to begin a 10-game homestand with a boozy celebration of its first division title since 2008. But Keon Broxton homered and Orlando Arcia drove in two runs, making the Cubs wait for the result of St. Louis’ game at San Francisco to find out if their seasonlong dominance of the Central was complete.
Red Sox 7, Yankees 5: Hanley Ramirez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth to finish off a five-run rally as host Boston came back to beat New York and open a two-game lead in the AL East. The Yankees took a four-run lead after three innings and still led 5-1 when David Ortiz hit a solo homer in the eighth, the 537th of his career, passing Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for 17th on baseball’s all-time list. Ortiz also had an RBI single off Dellin Betances (3-6) in the ninth.
White Sox 2, Indians 1: Jose Abreu continued his torrid streak with a home run and single and Carlos Sanchez drove in the winning run in the ninth inning in Chicago’s victory against visiting Cleveland. Chicago took three of four games in the series to conclude a 6-4 homestead against three playoff hopefuls. Cleveland remained six games ahead of Detroit for the lead in the AL Central.
Rays 7, Orioles 6: Evan Longoria homered and drove in five runs, and last-place Tampa Bay again played the spoiler’s role in a victory at Baltimore. The loss stalled Baltimore’s bid to enhance its position in the playoff picture.
Twins 5, Tigers 1: Brian Dozier’s two-run single highlighted a four-run second inning and visiting Minnesota handed Detroit a crucial loss. Detroit was only able to split four games with the lowly Twins, hurting them in the crowded AL wild-card race. Hector Santiago (12-8) got the win, holding the Tigers to one run on six hits in 52⁄3 innings.
Athletics 14, Royals 5: Stephen Vogt drove in five runs off two hits, including a two-run homer, to lead visiting Oakland to a dominant victory against Kansas City.
— By The Associated Press