BALTIMORE (AP) — It’s tough enough to beat the Boston Red Sox these days. Give them an extra out to work with, and the task becomes even more difficult.

Boston scored five unearned runs in the sixth inning after a throwing error by first baseman Chris Davis and rolled to a 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Wednesday night.

Andrew Benintendi hit a three-run homer for the Red Sox, who will seek to complete a four-game sweep on Thursday. Boston pulled five games ahead of second-place Toronto in the AL East and six in front of Baltimore with 10 games remaining.

The Red Sox trailed 1-0 in the sixth before Davis’ two-out miscue turned the game around.

“We were given a gift,” Boston manager John Farrell said, “and we did take every advantage of that extra out.”

Clay Buchholz (8-10) allowed one run and three hits over seven innings for the Red Sox. Boston’s seven-game winning streak, which began with a sweep of the Yankees, is its longest since an identical run early in the 2014 season.

The loss kept Baltimore a game behind the Blue Jays for the top AL wild card. The Orioles have lost five of seven, all at home, and scored only nine runs in their last five games.

“They’ll get it going here,” manager Buck Showalter said. “If we can get in, I feel real good about this group.”

Boston rallied against All-Star reliever Brad Brach, who replaced Ubaldo Jimenez (7-12) with two on and one out in the sixth. Aaron Hill hit a dribbler in front of the mound and beat the throw to first base following a miscommunication between Brach and catcher Matt Wieters.

That loaded the bases for Jackie Bradley Jr., who struck out on a 3-2 pitch. Sandy Leon then hit a sharp grounder toward first base at Davis, who rushed an off-balance throw that whisked past Brach, allowing two runs to score.

“Obviously just didn’t make a very good throw on it,” Davis said. “Probably a ball I could’ve stayed back on and just gone to the bag, but I just reacted and when I went to throw, it just kind of stuck in my hand.”

Said Brach: “I was just heading over to the bag, and when I picked up (sight) of the ball it was just coming a little hard to me and a little bit out of my reach.”

Benintendi hit the next pitch over the wall in right field.

“It’s frustrating when they don’t get a ball past first base, 90 feet away, and two runs score,” Brach said. “And obviously I need to make a better pitch on the next batter.”

That all but assured the Red Sox their 12th win in 15 games. They have also won seven of eight on the road.

After Boston loaded the bases in the first inning but failed to score, the Orioles capitalized on the same situation in the third when Adam Jones hit a sacrifice fly.

The Red Sox again filled the bases in the fourth before Leon bounced into a 3-6-1 double play.

The next time Boston loaded the bases, two innings later, the Red Sox finally came through — albeit with a little help from Davis.

METS 4, BRAVES3

NEW YORK (AP) — Center fielder Ender Inciarte robbed Yoenis Cespedes of a winning homer for the final out, and the New York Mets were handed another costly loss by last-place Atlanta when the Braves rallied for a 4-3 victory Wednesday night.

With two runners on in the ninth, Cespedes launched a drive to deep right-center. Inciarte raced to the wall and timed his jump perfectly, catching the ball just above the orange line atop the fence.

He held up his glove in excitement as Cespedes turned and walked slowly off the field. Some fans in the stunned crowd still had their hands on their heads as they filed up the aisles toward the exits.

New York remained tied with St. Louis and San Francisco in the NL wild-card race after all three teams lost Wednesday.

Bartolo Colon and Jeurys Familia failed to protect a three-run lead for the Mets. An error by normally sure-handed first baseman James Loney helped Atlanta tie it with an unearned run in the eighth.

Inciarte had an RBI groundout against Familia (3-4) in the top of the ninth, sending the Braves to their fifth straight victory.

Ian Krol (2-0) struck out pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki with the bases loaded to end the eighth, and Jim Johnson got three outs for his 17th save.

Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to a career-best 25 games and has reached base safely in 41 straight. Asdrubal Cabrera and Rene Rivera homered for the Mets.

DODGERS 9, GIANTS 3

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Yasiel Puig’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run first inning and the Dodgers routed the Giants, extending their NL West lead to six games with 10 remaining.

The Dodgers pounded out 12 hits in taking two of three from the rival Giants, who remained tied in the NL wild-card race after both the Mets and Cardinals lost earlier. The Dodgers conclude the regular season with three games at San Francisco next week.

Kenta Maeda (16-9) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings while improving to 4-0 against the Giants this season. The right-hander struck out six and walked one in making his 30th start of the season for just the second time in his career. Maeda is one win from tying Rick Sutcliffe’s record by a rookie set in 1979.

Matt Moore (11-12) gave up six runs and seven hits in one inning, walked one and struck out none in a messy outing for the left-hander who had pitched exceptionally well at Dodger Stadium.

CUBS 9, REDS 2

CHICAGO (AP) — John Lackey pitched seven solid innings for his first win in six weeks, Miguel Montero drove in three runs, and Chicago swept Cincinnati.

Kris Bryant hit his 38th homer and Dexter Fowler also connected to help major league-leading Chicago move a season-high 42 games over .500. The Cubs (97-55) also matched their win total from a year ago and lowered their magic number for clinching home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs to two over Washington.

Lackey (10-8) allowed two runs and five hits in his first win since he beat the Angels on Aug. 9. The right-hander, who retired his last 14 batters, went 0-1 with a 2.55 ERA in his previous four starts.

The last-place Reds lost for the seventh time in eight games. They managed just five runs and 19 hits in the three-game series against the NL Central champions.

Robert Stephenson (2-2) was pulled with two out in the fourth inning.

YANKEES 11, RAYS 5

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Gary Sanchez hit two more homers and drove in five runs, Masahiro Tanaka won despite allowing four home runs in the third inning and New York beat Tampa Bay.

The Yankees moved within 2 1/2 games of Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot. New York also would have to jump over Seattle, Houston and Detroit to earn a postseason berth.

Sanchez hit a three-run shot in a four-run second off Alex Cobb (1-1) and added his 19th homer in 43 games this season on a solo drive in the sixth against Justin Marks.

Tanaka (14-4) won his seventh straight decision.

Bobby Wilson, Evan Longoria, Brad Miller and Corey Dickerson all homered in the third. Miller later hit another solo shot to give him 30 homers this season.

MARINERS 2, BLUE JAYS 1, 12 INNINGS

SEATTLE (AP) — Robinson Cano drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning and the Seattle beat Toronto to avoid a series sweep.

Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (10-15), who pitched five scoreless innings in his last start Friday, came in on the 12th for his first relief appearance after 29 starts.

Guillermo Heredia reached on a two-base throwing error by third baseman Josh Donaldson to open the 12th. Ben Gamel followed with an attempted sacrifice bunt, and first baseman Ryan Goins appeared to have Heredia at third, but the ball popped out of Donaldson’s glove on the tag.

Cano then followed with a run-scoring fly to left, quieting the decidedly pro-Blue Jays crowd, bolstered for the third straight game by thousands of fans from western Canada.

Nick Vincent (4-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

After being blanked on two hits for eight innings, the Blue Jays tied it in the ninth on Jose Bautista’s 19th home run, a one-out solo shot to left off closer Edwin Diaz.

NATIONALS 8, MARLINS 3

MIAMI (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched 6 2-3 innings to tie for the National League victory lead with 18, helping Washington beat Miami.

Scherzer (18-7) allowed three runs and struck out eight to push his major league-leading total to 267. He’s tied for with Chicago’s Jon Lester for the most wins in the NL.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer and Trea Turner also homered for the Nationals. They ended a four-game losing streak and lowered their magic number to three to win the NL East over the New York Mets.

Tom Koehler (9-12) allowed four runs — three earned — in four innings for the Marlins.

Christian Yelich hit a solo home run and Derek Dietrich hit a two-run homer to chase Scherzer in the seventh and cut it to 6-3.

INDIANS 4, ROYALS 3

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber allowed two runs and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings, and the Cleveland beat Kansas City to eliminate the reigning World Series champions from the AL Central race.

The Indians reduced their magic number for clinching the Central to five.

Carlos Santana was 4 for 5 with an RBI single in the eighth. Jose Ramirez drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth with his third double of the game.

Kluber (18-9) matched his career high in wins and is 10-1 in his last 14 starts, strengthening his case to win his second AL Cy Young Award in three years.

Cody Allen allowed Salvador Perez’s leadoff homer in the ninth, but recorded his 28th save in 31 opportunities. Ian Kennedy (11-10) was the loser.

ANGELS 5, RANGERS 4

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Trout hit his 28th homer and Jered Weaver went six innings for his 150th victory in an Angels uniform, helping Los Angeles beat the AL West-leading Texas.

The magic number for Texas (90-63) to win its second consecutive AL West title remained at two after the loss and second-place Houston’s victory at Oakland.

Trout’s three-run drive off Derek Holland (7-9) in the fifth put the Angels up 5-1.

Weaver (12-12) struck out six and allowed four runs. He joined Chuck Finley (165) as the only pitchers to win 150 games for the Angels. A California native who has spent all 11 of his MLB seasons with the Angels, Weaver is 150-93 in 321 career starts.

Andrew Bailey worked the ninth for his fourth save.

ROCKIES 11, CARDINALS 1

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado hit a grand slam, German Marquez pitched five solid innings for his first major league win and Colorado slowed St. Louis’ playoff chase.

Arenado made it 6-1 in the second with his NL-leading 39th homer.

Marquez (1-0) made his first big league start after three appearances out of the bullpen. He allowed one run and struck out three. At 21 years, 212 days, Marquez was the second-youngest pitcher in Rockies’ history to earn his first win. The youngest was Jamey Wright at 21 years, 206 days.

Luke Weaver (1-4) allowed seven hits and six runs in two innings.

ASTROS 6, ATHLETICS 5

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Evan Gattis homered twice, catcher Jason Castro threw out a runner to end the game and Houston beat Oakland to complete a series sweep.

Oakland scored on second baseman Jose Altuve’s fielding error with two outs in the ninth inning to pull to 6-5. Castro then threw out pinch-runner Arismendy Alcantara trying to steal second.

Collin McHugh (12-10) won his fifth straight decision, allowing two runs and six hits over 5 2-3 innings. Five relievers combined to record the final 10 outs, with former A’s setup man Luke Gregerson retiring three batters for his 15th save.

Gattis reached 30 homers. He hit a two-run drive in the sixth off Daniel Mengden (2-8) for a 4-1 lead and connected again in the eighth.

PIRATES 4, BREWERS 1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Sean Rodriguez hit a home run and a two-run single, Andrew McCutchen went deep, rookie Chad Kuhl pitched six strong innings and Pittsburgh beat Milwaukee.

The Pirates won their sixth straight at Miller Park, and sixth of seven overall.

McCutchen helped the Pirates jump out to an early lead for the second consecutive game. He hit a 2-2 pitch that just slipped by the left-field foul pole for his 24th home run.

Rodriguez’s two-run single finished the scoring in the first off starter Jimmy Nelson (8-15) and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Rodriguez hit his 18th home run of the season in the fourth. He has homered in four of his last five games.

Kuhl (5-3) struck out six and walked one. Tony Watson got his 15th save.

PHILLIES 8, WHITE SOX 3

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tommy Joseph homered, doubled and drove in three runs and Jerad Eickhoff outpitched Chris Sale in Philadelphia’s victory over Chicago.

Joseph has 21 home runs, third most among rookies in the majors. The Phillies teed off on Sale (16-9), tagging the ace for six runs and seven hits in four innings.

Eickhoff (11-13) pitched seven innings and gave up six hits, including solo home runs by Adam Eaton, Todd Frazier and Alex Avila homered, and struck out six.

Phillies outfielder Tyler Goeddel left in the sixth after being hit in the head by a pitch from Chris Beck. Goeddel was the fourth Philadelphia player to be hit in the game, tying a franchise record.

DIAMONDBACKS 3, PADRES 2

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered twice, including a go-ahead, two-run shot in the sixth inning, and Zack Greinke pitched six strong innings to lead Arizona past San Dieg.

The Diamondbacks pulled into a tie with the Padres for fourth place in the NL West at 64-88.

Goldschmidt’s 22nd and 23rd homers provided all of Arizona’s runs and came off rookie Luis Perdomo (8-10). Goldschmidt hit a solo shot into the seats in left field with two outs in the first for a 1-0 lead, and a go-ahead, two-run homer into the Padres’ bullpen in left-center with two outs in the sixth.

Greinke (13-7) held San Diego to two runs and six hits while striking out seven and walking four. He improved to 8-1 lifetime against the Padres. Daniel Hudson had a four-out save, his fourth.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Reyes hit a tying two-run homer in the ninth inning and Asdrubal Cabrera hit a three-run drive in an 11th-inning comeback to lift the New York Mets to a dramatic 9-8 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night that kept them tied for the NL wild-card lead.

New York trailed 6-4 when pinch-hitter Brandon Nimmo singled off Jeanmar Gomez leading off the ninth and Reyes homered to right with one out.

Philadelphia went ahead 8-6 in the 11th when A.J. Ellis hit an RBI single off Jeurys Familia and Jim Henderson (2-2) walked Maikel Franco with the bases loaded.

Pinch-hitter Michael Conforto walked against Edubray Ramos (1-3) with one out in the bottom half, Reyes singled and Cabrera, who has been playing on an injured knee, homered to right, setting off a wild celebration. The Mets had been 0-63 this year when trailing after eight innings.

New York, which stopped a three-game skid, is tied with San Francisco for the NL wild-card lead.

INDIANS 5, ROYALS 2

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Santana’s three-run homer pushed Cleveland over Kansas City and nearer to its first AL Central championship since 2007.

Santana’s shot in the sixth inning off Dillon Gee (7-9) snapped a 2-2 tie as the Indians lowered their magic number to three and improved to 9-1 against the Royals this season.

Kansas City’s chances of making the postseason took another blow. The defending World Series champions began the night behind six teams in the wild-card chase.

Reliever Dan Otero (5-1) pitched two scoreless innings, Bryan Shaw worked one and Cody Allen pitched a perfect ninth for his 29th save.

Jason Kipnis homered for the Indians, who can wrap up a postseason berth this weekend against the Chicago White Sox.

TIGERS 9, TWINS 2, GAME 1

TIGERS 4, TWINS 2, GAME 2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Verlander tied a season-high with 11 strikeouts and Detroit moved into the second AL wild-card spot by beating Minnesota to sweep a day-night doubleheader.

Erick Aybar drove in two runs for Detroit, which moved a half-game ahead of Baltimore for the second wild card and trails Toronto by one game. The Tigers went 9-0 at Minnesota this year.

Ervin Santana (7-11) gave up four runs — two earned — five hits and four walks in in six innings.

Verlander (15-8) allowed four hits in six innings, including home runs by Juan Centeno and Byron Buxton. He has won 12 of his last 13 starts against the Twins.

Francisco Rodriguez got three outs for his 44th save in 48 chances

Victor Martinez had a pinch-hit, three-run homer during a six-run ninth inning in the opener. Justin Upton added his 26th home run off Alex Wimmers (1-3).

In the first game, Anibal Sanchez allowed one run and two hits in five innings in a spot start, and Alex Wilson (4-0), Shane Green and Mark Lowe finished the five-hitter.

DODGERS 7, ROCKIES 4

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Yasmani Grandal homered twice, including a grand slam in the seventh inning, to rally Los Angeles past Colorado.

The victory reduced the Dodgers’ magic number for clinching their record fourth consecutive NL West title to four. Their division lead remained at six games after San Francisco beat San Diego 2-1.

Luis Avilan (3-0) got the win in relief, pitching a scoreless seventh with one strikeout.

Kenley Jansen retired the side in the ninth for his 46th save in 52 chances.

Jordan Lyles gave up a ground-rule, pinch-hit double to Andre Ethier to open the seventh. Boone Logan (2-4) took over and loaded the bases on two consecutive one-out walks. He then walked Adrian Gonzalez, forcing in a run and leaving the Dodgers trailing 4-3.

Grandal followed with his second career grand slam, sending a 2-2 pitch into center field and giving the Dodgers their first lead of the game, 7-4.

GIANTS 2, PADRES 1

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Angel Pagan’s single broke a scoreless tie in the eighth and Jeff Samardzija struck out nine in seven innings for San Francisco, which beat San Diego to keep pace with the Mets for the NL wild-card lead.

The Mets and Giants took a half-game lead over the idle St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card race.

Samardzija (12-10) allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings, and walked none.

Joe Panik, who had been in an 0-for-24 slump, doubled to right-center opening the eighth against Christian Friedrich (5-11).

Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his second save in two chances.

RED SOX 5, ORIOLES 3

BALTIMORE (AP) — David Price won his eighth straight decision, Hanley Ramirez homered and Boston completed a four-game sweep of sinking Baltimore.

Boston has won eight straight to open a 5 1/2-game lead over idle Toronto in the AL East. With 13 victories in their last 16 games, the Red Sox have moved within one game of Texas for best record in the AL.

Baltimore fell seven games out and dropped 1½ games behind the Blue Jays for the top AL wild card. It was the first time since 2002 that the Orioles were swept at home by Boston in a four-game series.

Price (17-8) gave up three runs and six hits in seven inning, walking two and striking out five. The Red Sox have won each of the left-hander’s last nine starts since Aug. 7.

Koji Uehara worked the eighth, and Craig Kimbrel got three straight outs for his 29th save in 31 chances.

Boston used a walk, a wild pitch and Andrew Benintendi’s two-out RBI single off Vance Worley (2-2) to move in front in the fifth.

ANGELS 2, ASTROS 0

HOUSTON (AP) — Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Ricky Nolasco pitched seven solid innings, helping Los Angeles hinder Houston’s wild-card hopes.

The Angels ended an 11-game skid and pushed Houston 1 1/2 games behind the Tigers for the second AL wild card.

Nolasco (7-14) gave up five hits — all singles — and struck out five. Andrew Bailey pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Mike Fiers (11-8) allowed two runs on four hits with a season-high nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

RAYS 2, YANKEES 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Blake Snell and Tampa Bay’s bullpen combined to strand 11 runners in a win that prevented a much-needed three-game sweep by New York.

The Yankees are three games behind Detroit for the second AL wild-card spot and also trail Baltimore, Houston and Seattle.

Snell (6-8) gave up five hits and three walks. New York had scoring threats in four of five innings against him, leaving the bases loaded in the third when Chase Headley flied out.

Chase Whitley, in his third game since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowed two hits in 2 2/3 innings, and Alex Colome finished for his 35th save in 37 chances.

Corey Dickerson hit a solo homer in the sixth off Luis Cessa (4-3).

PIRATES 3, BREWERS 1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chris Carter hit his 37th home run, matching his career high and Scooter Gennett sliced an opposite-field, two-run homer to help Milwaukee avoid another sweep at Miller Park.

Chase Anderson (9-11) allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings, including a fifth-inning home run by Francisco Cervelli, his first since last Sept. 30. He improved to 3-1 in five starts this season against the Pirates, who had won their prior six games at Milwaukee.

Tyler Thornburg pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 17 chances.

BRAVES 6, MARLINS 3

MIAMI (AP) — Matt Kemp hit two home runs to power Atlanta over Miami.

Atlanta’s Josh Collmenter (3-0) pitched seven innings and allowed two runs.

Mauricio Cabrera pitched the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.

Marlins starter Jose Urena (4-8) allowed five runs and four hits in three innings.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Texas Rangers secured their second straight AL West title, becoming the first American League team to clinch a playoff spot with a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Beltre’s homer came during a three-run seventh after Oakland starter Kendall Graveman (10-11) pitched six perfect innings. Texas got its first baserunner when Carlos Gomez beat out an infield hit to lead off the seventh against Graveman.

This is Texas’ eighth AL West title and fourth since 2010.

All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels (15-5), acquired prior to last year’s non-waiver trade deadline, pitched the division-clinching game for the second year in a row. Last year, he threw a three-hitter in the last game of the regular season to beat the Los Angeles Angels.

Rangers closer Sam Dyson got pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso to hit into a fielder’s choice for the last out to record his 36th save.

RED SOX 2, RAYS 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Boston’s clubhouse was buzzing about David Ortiz’s high-and-deep homer in the first inning, a drive that provided the winning margin as the Red Sox moved close to a postseason berth in the slugger’s final season.

Ortiz hit a two-run shot to set the RBIs record for a player in his final year, and the AL East-leading Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Friday night for their ninth straight win.

“It’s not all about the distance,” Ortiz said after the 411-foot drive. “It’s about scoring runs and make sure we put us in position to win the game.”

Ortiz’s 37th homer came off Chris Archer (8-19) and raised his RBIs total to 124, one more than Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1920. The 40-year-old’s 540th homer, his 300th on the road, struck an overhanging catwalk above the right-field seats.

“I’m used to the ball going over the fence but that far, I don’t think you really ever get used to that,” teammate Mookie Betts said. “He’s just doing what he always does.”

When asked if he’s thinking about 40 homers, Ortiz said with a laugh “I’m 40.”

Coming off four-game sweeps of the New York Yankees and Baltimore, the Red Sox have a 5½-game lead over second-place Toronto in the AL East. They lowered their magic number to two for clinching a playoff berth.

Drew Pomeranz (3-5) allowed one run and four hits in five innings. Brad Ziegler, the fifth Boston reliever, got his fourth save after allowing a leadoff double in the ninth to Evan Longoria.

Red Sox set-up man Koji Uehara and closer Craig Kimbrel were both given the night off after extensive use recently.

Archer set a Tampa Bay record for losses in a season, breaking the mark Tanyon Sturtze set in 2002. He has lost 11 straight decisions against Boston since beating the Red Sox in his first career start against them on Sept. 19, 2012.

“It stinks whenever you’re on the mound for so many team losses,” Archer said.

Ortiz appeared to have his 524th double with the Red Sox, which would have moved him within one of tying Ted Williams for second on the franchise list, but was called out at second base in the seventh after Tampa Bay challenged the original safe call. He was credited with a single.

Mikie Mahtook hit a solo homer in the second for the Rays.

CUBS 5, CARDINALS 0

CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta struck out 10 in seven innings and Chicago beat St. Louis for its 98th victory, the Cubs’ most since they last played in the World Series in 1945.

Arrieta (18-7) allowed five hits and walked one, Anthony Rizzo had three hits and Ben Zobrist drove in two runs to help the Cubs (98-55) tie a team record with their 56th home win. They clinched home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

Chicago scored four runs in the first inning off Mike Leake (9-11).

Pedro Strop came off the disabled list to work the eighth, and Travis Wood and Carl Edwards Jr. finished the five-hitter. Rizzo, Zobrist and Chris Coghlan drove in runs in the first off Leake, who lasted 3 1/3 innings and is winless in four starts since recovering from shingles.

Leake allowed another run on one of two wild pitches. Cardinals’ gaffes included Kolten Wong face-planting into the turf chasing Rizzo’s first-inning double and Matt Adams getting picked off first. Zobrist’s fourth-inning groundout added another run for Chicago.

DODGERS 5, ROCKIES 2

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joc Pederson and pinch-hitter Andre Ethier hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning and Los Angeles defeated Colorado after an emotional pre-game ceremony honoring Vin Scully.

Their third straight victory trimmed the Dodgers’ magic number for clinching a record fourth consecutive NL West title to two.

Pederson worked the count to 3-2 during a nine-pitch at-bat before homering off Jon Gray (10-9) with two outs.

Ross Stripling (5-8) got the win in relief of injured Scott Kazmir. The rookie right-hander allowed two hits in three innings, struck out four and walked two.

METS 10, PHILLIES 5

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Conforto hit a three-run homer that capped a six-run rally in the fifth inning, Hansel Robles gave a big boost from the bullpen and New York beat Philadelphia to stay atop the NL wild-card race.

The Mets are a game up on San Francisco for the wild-card lead. St. Louis lost and trails New York by 1 1/2 games.

A day after using 10 pitchers in a stirring 9-8, 11-inning win over the Phillies, the Mets sent out six more. With his team competing for a playoff spot, manager Terry Collins yanked starter Gabriel Ynoa after just two shaky innings.

Robles preserved a 7-5 lead in the seventh, getting pinch-hitter Tommy Joseph to ground into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. Robles finished with hitless relief for his first career save. Josh Smoker (3-0) was the winner.

Jeremy Hellickson (12-10) was the loser. Maikel Franco homered for the second straight day and pinch-hitter Darin Ruf also connected for the Phillies.

PIRATES 6, NATIONALS 5, 11 INNINGS

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie Jacob Stallings’ pinch-hit single in the 11th inning lifted Pittsburgh past Washington, preventing the Nationals from clinching a postseason berth.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out against Yusmiero Petit (3-5) when Francisco Cervelli doubled, Andrew McCutchen was intentionally walked and Pedro Florimon walked.

Sean Rodriguez struck out and Stalling, a son of University of Pittsburgh basketball coach Kevin Stallings, grounded a 3-2 pitch into left field.

Wade LeBlanc (4-0) was the winner. Pittsburgh’s seventh win in nine games kept the Pirates on the fringe of the NL wild-card race.

Washington lost for the fifth time in six games. The Nationals have magic numbers of one for a playoff berth and two for an NL East title. Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa homered for the Nationals.

PADRES 7, GIANTS 2

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Wil Myers hit a three-run homer off rookie Albert Suarez in the first inning and San Diego beat San Francisco for its seventh victory in eight games against the struggling Giants since the All-Star break.

The Giants dropped into the second wild-card position, a game behind the New York Mets.

Edwin Jackson (5-6) won for just the second time in seven starts, holding the Giants to two runs and four hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked five.

Suarez (3-5) fell behind 3-0 before recording an out. Jon Jay hit a leadoff single, rookie Carlos Asuaje doubled for his first big league hit and Myers homered into the party deck just beyond the fence in right-center, his 28th.

INDIANS 10, WHITE SOX 4.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs, and Cleveland beat Chicago to move a step closer to the AL Central title.

The Indians dropped their magic number to three games for their first division title since 2007.

Trevor Bauer (12-8) overcame two-run homers by Melky Cabrera and Avisail Garcia. The right-hander allowed four runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Mike Napoli drove in two runs and became the first Cleveland player to reach 100 RBIs in nine years.

Miguel Gonzalez (4-8) was the loser. Chicago has lost six in a row and was eliminated from the AL wild-card race.

White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton left after appearing to hit his head and left shoulder running into the wall catching Roberto Perez’s long drive in the sixth.

ORIOLES 3, DIAMONDBACKS 2, 12 INNINGS

BALTIMORE (AP) — Mark Trumbo led off the 12th inning with his major league-leading 44th home run, and Baltimore ovrcame a late two-run deficit to beat Arizona.

After getting swept in a four-game series by Boston, the Orioles remained a half-game behind Detroit for the AL’s second wild card.

Baltimore trailed 2-0 before Pedro Alvarez homered in the eighth off Enrique Burgos, and Matt Wieters homered against Daniel Hudson leading off the ninth.

Oliver Drake (1-0) pitched a scoreless 12th for his first big league win. Matt Koch (1-1) relieved to start the bottom half and Trumbo sent his first pitch over the left-field fence, setting off a celebration.

BLUE JAYS 9, YANKEES 0

TORONTO (AP) — Francisco Liriano and three relievers combined on a three-hitter, Troy Tulowitzki had four RBIs and the Toronto routed New York to maintain a one-game lead in the AL wild-card standings.

Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer, Edwin Encarnacion had his 124th RBI — tied with Boston’s David Ortiz for the AL lead — and the Blue Jays won their sixth straight home game over New York.

New York was shut out for the second straight night and lost for the ninth time in 12 games, following a seven-game winning streak. The Yankees have gone 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position in their last two games and stranded 17 runners.

Liriano (8-13) escaped a bases-loaded jam by striking out Chase Headley to end a 27-pitch first inning, then left runners at the corners after the first two batters reached in the third. That was the start of a stretch that saw the left-hander retire nine straight. Liriano allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six for his second win with Toronto. Bryan Mitchell (1-2) was the loser.

BREWERS 5, REDS 4

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chris Carter homered, Ryan Braun had a late clutch hit and Milwaukee its second triple play of the season in a victory over Cincinnati.

Carter hit his 38th home run of the season leading off the second against Anthony DeSclafani (8-4).

Jose Peraza put the Reds in front with a three-run homer with one out in the fifth off Milwaukee starter Zach Davies.

The Brewers scored in the sixth on Carter’s RBI groundout to cut the lead to 3-2. Milwaukee loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, chasing DeSclafani. Scooter Gennett drew a walk off reliever Tony Cingrani to tie it. Milwaukee regained the lead when Braun followed with a two-run single off Blake Wood.

Brent Suter (2-1) retired the only batter he faced to get the victory. Tyler Thornburg finished for his 13th save.

ANGELS 10, ASTROS 6

HOUSTON (AP) — Yunel Escobar hit a two-run homer and pinch-hitter Rafael Ortega had three RBIs during a six-run ninth inning, lifting Los Angeles past Houston.

Houston fell 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers for the second AL wild card.

Houston led 6-4 when Escobar sent a slider from Ken Giles (2-5) into the seats in left field to start the ninth. Giles walked Mike Trout with one out before intentionally walking Albert Pujols. C.J. Cron followed with a bloop single to score Trout and put the Angels on top.

Giles was replaced by Michael Feliz after loading the bases with a walk. Ortega cleared the bases with his two-out double that deflected off shortstop Carlos Correa’s glove to extend the lead.

Cody Ege (1-0) got the last two outs of the eighth inning for the win.

TIGERS 8, ROYALS 3

DETROIT (AP) — Michael Fulmer pitched seven sharp innings for his first win in over a month and Detroit homered three times in a victory over Kansas City.

Justin Upton, Victor Martinez and Cameron Maybin went deep to help the Tigers win their fifth straight while chasing a postseason spot. Upton has 27 homers, including 14 in his last 29 games.

Fulmer (11-7) allowed a run and eight hits, striking out nine with no walks. Danny Duffy (12-3) allowed six runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Kansas City has lost nine of its last 12.

MARINERS 10, TWINS 1

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Robinson Cano had four hits and two RBIs, and Nelson Cruz added a towering two-run homer among his four RBIs and struggling Seattle beat Minnesota.

James Paxton pitched seven strong innings and finally received a boost from the offense, which broke out with a six-run seventh inning. Paxton (5-7) struck out nine and allowed one run on five hits.

The Mariners (81-72) passed Houston — which lost to the Los Angeles Angels — in the standings but still trail Detroit by two games for the second wild card.

Kyle Gibson (6-10) gave up two runs, five hits and four walks for Minnesota.

BRAVES 3, MARLINS 2.

MIAMI (AP) — Adonis Garcia hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning, and Atlanta beat Miami for its season-high seventh straight win

Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 27 games with a sixth-inning double. Atlanta’s winning streak is its longest since it won nine in a row from June 27-July 5, 2014.

With the score 2-2, Emilio Bonifacio singled with one out off A.J. Ramos (1-4), stole his first base this season, took third on catcher J.T. Realmuto’s throwing error and came home on Garcia’s single to center.

Brandon Cuniff (2-0) struck out two of three batters in a hitless eighth, and Mauricio Cabrera threw a hitless ninth for his sixth save in seven chances with the Braves.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Washington Nationals clinched their third National League East title in five years, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 Saturday night behind 5 1/3 scoreless innings from rookie reliever Reynaldo Lopez.

Stephen Drew’s two-run single capped a three-run first inning for the Nationals, who return to the postseason after a one-year absence. Their win ensured a playoff berth, and they won the division about 20 minutes later when the second-place New York Mets lost to Philadelphia.

Lopez (4-3) came on to the start the bottom of the fourth inning with a 6-1 lead and allowed three hits while striking out five and walking one.

Ivan Nova (12-8) lost his second straight outing after a 5-0 start with Pittsburgh, giving up six runs — three earned — and eight hits in four innings.

RED SOX 6, RAYS 4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia hit his fourth career grand slam to help Rick Porcello get his major league-leading 22nd win, and Boston clinched a playoff berth by extending its winning streak to 10 — the team’s longest in September since 1949.

Boston maintained a 5½-game lead over Toronto for the division title and ensured no worse than the AL’s second wild card.

Pedroia stopped an 0-for-17 skid with a single in the sixth and gave Boston a 6-3 lead with a seventh-inning drive off Danny Farquhar.

Porcello (22-4) gave up three runs, eight hits and struck out nine over 6 1/3 innings, and Craig Kimbrel reached 30 saves for the sixth straight season. Ryan Garton (1-2) was the loser.

BLUE JAYS 3, YANKEES 0

TORONTO (AP) — Jose Bautista hit a three-run homer off Tyler Clippard (3-5) in the eighth inning, reaching 30 homers for the seventh straight season.

New York has been shut out in three straight games for the first time July 27-28, 1975. The Yankees have lost 10 of 13 following a seven-game winning streak and likely will miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.

Jason Grilli (7-5) struck out Billy Butler in the eighth to strand a runner at third, and Roberto Osuna completed a three-hitter for his 35th save.

PHILLIES 10, METS 8

NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets fell behind 10-0 by the fourth inning, then fell short of what would have been the largest comeback victory in team history.

New York dropped into a tie with San Francisco for the two NL wild cards. St. Louis trails by a half-game.

Philadelphia’s Maikel Franco and Darin Ruf each hit long a home run for the second consecutive night as Philadelphia built its lead.

Sean Gilmartin (0-1) fell behind 3-0 after 12 pitches and left having allowed five runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Jay Bruce hit his first career pinch-hit home run with one out in the ninth. The Mets put two on before Michael Mariot got his second save by retiring Lucas Duda on a popup and Travis d’Arnaud on a comebacker.

Alec Asher (2-0) allowed four unearned runs over five innings.

DODGERS 14, ROCKIES 1

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings, Josh Reddick slugged a grand slam in the seventh and Los Angeles moved within a game of clinching its fourth consecutive NL West title.

The Dodgers can wrap up the title Sunday in Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully’s final home game before he retires next weekend.

Kershaw (12-3) struck out six and walked none to improve to 8-1 at home.

Chad Bettis (13-8) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, struck out three and walked four.

GIANTS 9, PADRES 6, 10 INNINGS

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Francisco blew a six-run lead before scoring three times in the 10th inning, including a two-run home run by Denard Span, to beat San Diego and pull even with the New York Mets atop the NL wild-card standings.

Angel Pagan scored the go-ahead run on a fielding error by rookie right fielder Hunter Renfroe with one out in the 10th, followed by Span’s 11th homer, off Kevin Quackenbush (7-7).

Will Smith (2-4) pitched one-third of an inning for the win. Sergio Romo got his third save.

ROYALS 7, TIGERS 4

DETROIT (AP) — Paulo Orlando hit a tying, two-run double and Eric Hosmer followed with a three-run homer against Francisco Rodriguez (3-4), capping a comeback from a 4-2 deficit in the ninth.

Wade Davis (2-1) pitched a one-hit eighth and Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City’s seventh pitcher, got three straight outs for his 12th save.

Detroit’s five-game winning streak was stopped and the World Series champion Royals ended a four-game skid.

CARDINALS 10, CUBS 4

CHICAGO (AP) — Yadier Molina drove in four runs and Stephen Piscotty homered to help St. Louis in its wild-card chase. Randal Grichuk added three RBIs and Jhonny Peralta had three hits.

Jason Hammel (15-10) allowed six runs and six hits while getting just seven outs, hurting his bid for a postseason rotation spot.

Alex Reyes (4-1) needed 115 pitches to get through five innings but settled down after a tough start to allow three runs and six hits.

RANGERS 5, ATHLETICS 0

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The lone veteran in the lineup a day after Texas won another AL West title, Elvis Andrus hit a pair of two-run homers.

Yu Darvish (6-5) had all the run support he needed on a couple of big swings from Andrus, who had his first career multi-homer game. Robinson Chirinos added an RBI double in the ninth for Texas (92-63), which moved 29 games above .500 for the first time since exactly four years ago on Sept. 24, 2012.

A’s rookie Raul Alcantara (1-2) struck out six with one walk over six innings. He allowed four runs on seven hits.

ORIOLES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 1

BALTIMORE (AP) — Mark Trumbo connected for his league-leading 45th homer and Trey Mancini hit his third homer in nine major league at-bats,

Baltimore pulled a half-game ahead of the Tigers for the AL’s second wild card and trail the Toronto Blue Jays by 1 1/2 games for the top spot.

Wade Miley (9-13) allowed one run and seven hits and tied a career high with 11 strikeouts over 8 2/3 innings to beat Robbie Ray (8-14).

WHITE SOX 8, INDIANS 1

CLEVELAND (AP) — Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu hit RBI singles in the first off Cody Anderson (2-5), and Todd Frazier connected for his 39th homer in the sixth as Chicago stopped a six-game losing streak.

Joel Quintana (13-11) gave up one run in six innings and beat Cleveland for the second time in 11 days. The Indians’ magic number is two for clinching the AL Central.

MARLINS 6, BRAVES 4

MIAMI (AP) — Derek Dietrich hit a two-run homer, helping stop Atlanta’s season-high seven-game winning streak.

Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 28 games in the first inning and has reached base in 44 straight. He also hit a solo home run in the sixth, his 32nd.

Brian Ellington (4-2) earned the win in relief and A.J. Ramos got his 39th save. Five days after getting his first big league win, Aaron Blair (1-7) allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings.

ANGELS 10, ASTROS 4

HOUSTON (AP) — Kole Calhoun had three hits and two RBIs, and Los Angeles scored nine runs in the final two innings. Houston fell to three games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card.

Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and C.J. Cron each added two RBIs for the Angels.

Jose Valdez (2-3) allowed two runs in the seventh for the win, and Luke Gregerson (4-2) took the loss.

TWINS 3, MARINERS 2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Miguel Sano hit a tiebreaking homer in the fourth inning off Ariel Miranda (5-2) and Tyler Duffey (9-11) gave up four runs and four hits in seven innings. Seattle is 2½ games back for the second AL wild card.

Sano’s 24th homer followed Nelson Cruz’s tying two-run shot for Seattle in the top of the fourth. Cruz’s homer reached the third deck in left field for what was estimated by MLB’s Statcast as 493 feet, the second-longest home run in the majors this season behind a 504-foot strike by Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton in Colorado’s Coors Field.

Jorge Polanco had a solo home run for Minnesota, which snapped a seven-game losing streak.

REDS 6, BREWERS 1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Dan Straily (14-8) allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, and Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the first off Taylor Jungmann (0-5). Straily is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four starts against Milwaukee this year.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fourth straight NL West title, winning the crown in Vin Scully’s final home game when Charlie Culberson homered with two outs in the 10th inning to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3 Sunday.

Culberson hit his first homer of the season and just sixth of his career off Boone Logan (2-5) and the ball landed in the lower left-field seats, touching off wild cheers and a raucous celebration at home plate. The Dodgers charged out of their dugout and surrounded Culberson, jumping up and down. They donned championship T-shirts and hats from carts wheeled on the field.

The Dodgers took off their caps, turned toward Scully’s broadcasting booth and held them in a salute to the 88-year-old Hall of Famer, who has just three games at San Francisco next weekend before ending his 67-year career.

The Dodgers became the first NL West team to win four straight division titles.

Joe Blanton (7-2) pitched the 10th to get the victory.

PADRES 4, GIANTS 3

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Manuel Margot tripled in the seventh inning and scored the go-ahead run on Wil Myers’ single as San Diego dropped San Francisco a game behind the New York Mets in the NL wild-card race.

A few minutes before this game ended, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Colorado in 10 innings to win the NL West title. The Dodgers came into Sunday seven games ahead of the Giants.

Margot, called up Wednesday from Pacific Coast League champion El Paso, tripled to right center off Cory Gearrin (3-2) with one out in the seventh and scored on Myers’ single to right.

Margot doubled in the first and hit an RBI single in the second, both off rookie Ty Blach, who was making his first big league start, in place of the injured Johnny Cueto.

Brandon Morrow (1-0) got two outs for the victory. Brad Hand got the last five outs for his first save.

CUBS 3, CARDINALS 1

CHICAGO (AP) — David Ross homered and teamed with Jon Lester for another scoreless performance, and Chicago hurt St. Louis’ wild-card chances.

Ben Zobrist had three hits and scored two runs as Chicago finished with a major league-best 57-24 home record. It’s the most home wins for the Cubs since they went 58-19 at the West Side Grounds in 1910.

The Cardinals lost for the third time in four games, wasting a chance to improve their playoff positioning. They remain a half-game back of San Francisco for the second NL wild card.

Lester (19-4), one of the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award, struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander allowed three hits and walked one while improving to 10-0 with 1.34 ERA in his last 13 starts.

Carlos Martinez (15-9) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings.

WHITE SOX 3, INDIANS 0

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Rodon struck out a career-high 11 over eight dominant innings and the Chicago White Sox denied Cleveland any chance of winning the AL Central title by beating the Indians 3-0 on Sunday.

Rodon (8-10) blanked the Indians on just two singles and easily handled the division leaders who still haven’t wrapped up a playoff spot and have gone flat at the worst time possible. Cleveland needed to win its regular-season finale at home and Detroit to lose to Kansas City for the Indians to clinch their first division championship since 2007.

Now, they will have to try and do it on the road against the Tigers, whom they’ve beaten 13 times in 15 games this season. The clubs open a four-game series Monday at Comerica Park.

It was a disappointing finish for the Indians at Progressive Field, where they went 50-27 and had 11 walk-off wins in a season of comebacks. Cleveland had three errors for the second straight game.

Carlos Sanchez had two RBIs off Josh Tomlin (12-9).

BLUE JAYS 4, YANKEES 3

TORONTO (AP) — Ezequiel Carrera drove in the tying run with a squeeze bunt in the ninth inning, Edwin Encarnacion hit a winning single and Toront hled its AL wild-card lead.

Toronto leads Baltimore by 1 1/2 games for the top AL wild-card spot. The Blue Jays have won a team-record eight straight at home against the Yankees.

New York ended its 33-inning scoreless streak, but lost for the 11th time in 14 games.

After the Yankees scored twice in the ninth off closer Roberto Osuna (3-2) for a 3-2 lead, the Blue Jays bounced back.

Dellin Betances walked Melvin Upton Jr. to begin the bottom of the ninth and took third when Kevin Pillar singled off Tyler Clippard (3-6). Carrera followed with a squeeze bunt, and both runners advanced as Clippard’s attempted scoop sent the ball rolling past catcher Gary Sanchez toward the backstop.

Clippard struck out Devon Travis before Josh Donaldson was intentionally walked to load the bases. Encarnacion’s slow roller between first and second scored the winning run.

ORIOLES 2, DIAMONDBACKS 1

BALTIMORE (AP) — Hyun Soo Kim hit his fifth home run, a two-run shot in the second inning, and Baltimore completed a three-game sweep of Arizona.

The Orioles entered the day a half-game ahead of Detroit for the second AL wild card and trailed Toronto by 1 1/2 games for the top spot. The Orioles begin a crucial three-game series at the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Baltimore finished the regular season 50-31 at Camden Yards. Arizona has been swept 13 times this season, including six on the road.

Orioles rookie Dylan Bundy (10-6) allowed the one run on three hits with five strikeouts over five innings. Baltimore’s Zach Britton picked up his American League-leading 46th save in 46 chances. Manny Machado went 2 for 4 for his team-high 54th multi-hit game.

ROYALS 12, TIGERS 9

DETROIT (AP) — Salvador Perez homered to cap a cycle by Kansas City’s first four batters of the game, and the Royals went deep three more times to beat Detroit and drop the Tigers in the AL wild-card race.

The defending World Series champions avoided elimination from this year’s postseason race by chasing Detroit starter Matt Boyd (6-5) before he retired a hitter. Kansas City started the game with a single, a triple and a double before Perez’s two-run homer made it 4-0.

The Tigers fell 1 1/2 games behind Baltimore for the second wild-card spot. The loss cut Cleveland’s magic number to clinch the AL Central to one — the Indians start a four-game series in Detroit on Monday night.

RED SOX 3, RAYS 2, 10 INNINGS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays struck out in record fashion and lost their home finale on a strange play at the plate.

Dustin Pedroia used nifty baserunning to score from first base on David Ortiz’s double in the 10th inning and the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox beat the Rays 3-2 on Sunday for their 11th consecutive win.

Pedroia singled off Eddie Gamboa (0-1) to start the 10th. The relay throw on Ortiz’s hit to right center beat Pedroia to plate, but he avoided catcher Luke Maile’s first tag.

Pedroia’s momentum carried him past the plate and when he went back to touch it, Maile was charged with an error when the ball dropped out his glove on another tag try.

“I don’t have a good explanation other than that the ball seemed to be, from what I heard, was coming loose as Maile tagged (Pedroia),” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

The call confirmed after a video review that lasted 39 seconds.

“It’s obviously a strange play,” Maile said. “I don’t really know the timing of when the ball left the mitt. It’s a play you’ve got to make.”

Pedroia hit a solo homer and Mookie Betts extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single for the Red Sox.

Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander and Heath Hembree combined to strike out 11 consecutive batters to establish a major league record. The New York Mets held the previous mark when Tom Seaver struck out 10 in a row against San Diego in 1970.

Boston also set a club record by striking out 21 through nine. Joe Kelly (4-0) added two in the 10th as the Rays became just the fifth big league team to strike out 23 or more in a game.

There was a moment of silence before the game for Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a boating accident early Sunday. Fernandez played high school baseball in nearby Tampa after defecting from Cuba.

“A very emotional day,” Ortiz said. “I was thinking about Jose the whole game. It’s hard to believe. A very sad day.”

The Rays planned to honor Ortiz before his final game at Tropicana Field but canceled the ceremony at Ortiz’s request after Fernandez’s death. He had three hits and moved past Frank Thomas for 107th place on the career list with 2,469 hits.

Ortiz has 35 homers and 90 RBIs at Tropicana Field, which is the most of any visiting player. Alex Rodriguez is next with 30 homers and 73 RBIs.

METS 17, PHILLIES 0

NEW YORK (AP) — Asdrubal Cabrera hit a grand slam, Jose Reyes drove in four runs and the Mets got the largest shutout victory in team history to maintain the NL wild-card lead.

On an afternoon when batters circled the bases like the cartoon Gashouse Gorillas, the Mets romped in their final regular-season game at Citi Field.

Reyes batted four straight times with the bases loaded and Cabrera hit his 23rd home run this season. Curtis Granderson reached 30 home runs for the first time since 2012 and rookie Robert Gsellman (3-2) allowed three hits over seven innings.

New York’s previous high for runs in a shutout was 14, against the Chicago Cubs in 1965 and Cincinnati in 1998.

Wearing 1986 commemorative uniforms, New York began the day tied with San Francisco for the NL’s two wild cards, a half-game ahead of St. Louis.

Jake Thompson (3-6) allowed three runs and five hits in four innings.

REDS 4, BREWERS 2

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brandon Finnegan pitched five scoreless innings in his final start of the season, lifting the Cincinnati past Milwaukee.

Finnegan (10-11) scattered three hits and struck out four, needing only 54 pitches to get through five innings. Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth for his fourth save in five chances.

Finnegan, obtained in the July 2015 trade that sent Johnny Cueto to Kansas City, went 4-3 with a 2.23 ERA in his final 11 starts. The left-hander pitched 172 innings this year, up from 105 1/3 innings splitting time between the major and minor leagues in 2015.

Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta (7-11) pitched six innings, allowing three runs — two earned — on five hits and three walks while striking out five.

ASTROS 4, ANGELS 1

HOUSTON (AP) — Joe Musgrove pitched seven strong innings, Evan Gattis, Tony Kemp and Tyler White homered, and Houston snapped a three-game slide to preserve its playoff hopes.

Houston began the day three games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot.

Musgrove (4-4, 4.06 ERA) allowed one run on seven hits while striking out four.

Closer Ken Giles rebounded from a blown save in Friday’s 10-6 loss to Los Angeles. He walked one and struck out two in the ninth for his 14th save.

Daniel Wright (0-5, 6.95) lasted six innings for the Angels. He gave up three runs on seven hits, including two homers, while striking out four and walking two.

MARINERS 4, TWINS 3

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson Cruz homered twice before leaving with left wrist soreness, Jesus Sucre homered for the first time in 14 months and Seattle beat Minnesota.

Taijuan Walker (7-11) danced around danger for most of his 5 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and three earned runs. Nick Vincent, Steve Cishek and Edwin Diaz then combined for 3 2/3 innings of no-hit relief, including Diaz’s 17th save in 19 chances.

Trying to make the postseason for the first time since 2001, Seattle is 2 1/2 games behind Baltimore for the second American League wild-card spot with a week to play.

Max Kepler homered and Robbie Grossman had three hits for Minnesota in its 100th loss. This is the second time in team history the Twins have had triple-digit losses: The 1982 squad finished 60-102.

Hector Santiago (12-10) allowed four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings for Minnesota.

ATHLETICS 7, RANGERS 1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jharel Cotton pitched seven crisp innings and Oakland avoided a series sweep.

Ryon Healy had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Stephen Vogt drove in three runs to help the A’s win after being shut out in back-to-back games.

Adrian Beltre hit his 32nd home run for Texas.

The Rangers, who clinched the AL West on Friday, fell into a tie with the Boston Red Sox for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Texas (92-64) holds a slight tiebreaking advantage based on division record.

Oakland will be sitting out the postseason and had lost the first five games on this homestand but ended it on an encouraging note behind Cotton (2-0). The rookie right-hander allowed one run, struck out five and faced two over the minimum while quieting the Rangers’ potent offense.

Coming off consecutive shutout losses in the first two games of the series, the A’s did all of their scoring in the second to chase starter Colby Lewis (6-4).

NATIONALS 10, PIRATES 7

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Nationals star Bryce Harper injured his left thumb making an awkward slide to avoid a pretend tag by Pittsburgh third baseman Jung Ho Kang, and the teams later cleared the benches in Washington’s win.

Harper’s thumb was sore and the reigning NL MVP will have X-rays Monday.

Harper led off the third inning with a triple for the NL East champions. As Harper neared third, Kang acted as if a throw was coming and faked a tag. Harper went down, was checked by a trainer and stayed in. He scored on Anthony Rendon’s double and was replaced in the field in the bottom half.

The next time Kang came up, Nationals starter A.J. Cole threw a fastball behind him and was immediately ejected by plate umpire Jordan Baker.

The benches cleared, with Washington’s Jayson Werth in the middle of the skirmish. Pirates outfielder Sean Rodriguez was ejected.

Washington rallied for five runs in the eighth off former teammate Felipe Rivero (1-5).

Shawn Kelley (3-2) got the win. Former Pirates closer Mark Melancon got his 43rd save.

MIAMI (AP) — Dee Gordon and the Miami Marlins wore their emotions on the sleeves of their No. 16 jerseys.

Jose Fernandez would have loved it.

Gordon homered leading off the first inning for the Marlins, who totaled 14 hits and mixed cheers with the tears of the past two days by beating the New York Mets 7-3 on Monday night in their first game since Fernandez died in a boating accident.

Adam Conley pitched three scoreless innings subbing for Fernandez, who had been scheduled to make his final start of the year. Justin Bour went 3 for 3 and Gordon had four hits, including one that will go down in Marlins lore.

Paying tribute to their charismatic ace, the left-handed-hitting Gordon stepped to the plate as a righty leading off the first. After one pitch, Gordon switched to his customary left side — and pulled a 2-0 delivery into the upper deck for his first homer of the season.

New York’s Bartolo Colon (14-8) allowed a season-high seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Mike Dunn (5-1) pitched a perfect fourth for the win.

New York still leads the NL wild-card race with five games to go.

INDIANS 7, TIGERS 4

DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland clinched the AL Central title, overcoming an injury to ace right-hander Corey Kluber in a victory over Detroit.

Kluber left after four innings with right groin tightness, joining Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar in a group of talented Cleveland pitchers dealing with injuries. But even those concerns were secondary when the Indians poured onto the field to celebrate their first division title since 2007.

Buck Farmer (0-1) allowed four runs in five innings for the Tigers, who fell two games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card.

Andrew Miller (10-1) won in relief, and Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 30th save in 33 chances.

MARINERS 4, ASTROS 3, 11 INNINGS

HOUSTON (AP) — Robinson Cano hit his second homer of the game with two outs in the 11th inning, lifting Seattle over Houston.

Houston scored two runs in the ninth, but then Cano sent a slider from Luke Gregerson (4-3) into the second deck in right field to win.

The victory moves Seattle two games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card and drops Houston, which has lost four of five, to 3 1/2 games back in the race

Drew Storen (4-3) pitched a perfect 10th for the win. Nick Vincent allowed consecutive singles to Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa before retiring the next two batters for his third save.

CUBS 12, PIRATES 2

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Javier Baez hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs while major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks pitched six scoreless innings, and Chicago won its 100th game of the season.

Baez helped the NL Central-champion Cubs reach triple digits in victories for the first time since 1935.

Hendricks (16-8) dropped his ERA to 1.99 by scattering seven hits, striking out five and walking none. He has not allowed more than three runs in 22 consecutive starts.

The Pirates entered the day 4 ½ games out of the second NL wild card with seven games to play.

Rookie Chad Kuhl (5-4) was rocked for five runs and eight hits in three innings.

DIAMONDBACKS 14, NATIONALS 4

WASHINGTON (AP) — All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos left Washington’s loss to Arizona with a right knee injury that could be a major blow to the NL East champions.

Ramos landed awkwardly on his right leg after jumping to catch a relay throw in the sixth inning. He immediately called for medical attention and clutched at the same knee he injured badly during the 2012 season, when he tore his ACL and medial collateral ligament.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Ramos would have an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage.

Washington was already without reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper due to a thumb injury, slugging second baseman Daniel Murphy (strained glute) and 15-game winner Stephen Strasburg (elbow).

This loss left the Nationals one game ahead of the Dodgers for home-field advantage in the series.

Tanner Roark (15-10) allowed five runs in four innings.

Zack Godley (5-4) got the win behind three scoreless innings in relief.

YANKEES 7, BLUE JAYS 5

TORONTO (AP) — Mark Teixeira hit a tying homer in the ninth inning and Aaron Hicks added a winning blast as New York avoided a four-game sweep.

Leading 3-2 heading to the ninth, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons called on Jason Grilli (7-6) to close it out because Roberto Osuna was unavailable after pitching the previous two days.

Teixeira tied it 3-all with a one-out drive into the second deck drive in right. Didi Gregorius singled and Hicks followed with a two-run homer.

Tommy Layne wrapped up his first save by getting Troy Tulowitzki to foul out. Adam Warren (4-2) got the win behind two perfect innings.

BREWERS 8, RANGERS 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jonathan Villar had two home runs and a career-high five RBIs, and Matt Garza beat his former team.

The loss dropped AL West-champion Texas a half-game behind Boston in the race for the league’s best record. The Cleveland Indians pulled within a half-game of the Rangers.

Garza (6-8) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. Rangers starter Martin Perez (10-11) was looking to set a career high for wins in a season.

REDS 15, CARDINALS 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Joey Votto and Adam Duvall hit two of Cincinnati’s four homers in a rout of St. Louis.

Reds starter Tim Adleman (3-4) retired the first 10 Cardinals he faced and went a career-long seven innings. It was his first win since Aug. 19.

Jaime Garcia (10-13) lasted just one inning in the shortest outing of his career.

WHITE SOX 7, RAYS 1

CHICAGO (AP) — James Shields pitched six effective innings for his first win in two months, Justin Morneau and Carlos Sanchez each hit a two-run homer and Chicago beat Tampa Bay.

Shields (6-18) allowed one run and seven hits, using six strikeouts to help wriggle out of several jams and help Chicago win its third straight.

Tampa Bay’s Drew Smyly (7-12) allowed three runs and seven hits over five innings in losing for the first time since July 18 at Colorado.

ANGELS 2, ATHLETICS 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Yunel Escobar scored when Ryan Dull (5-5) bobbled Albert Pujols’ weak grounder back to the mound in the eighth inning, and Los Angeles beat Oakland for its fifth victory in six games.

Mike Trout hit his 29th homer for the Angels. JC Ramirez (2-1) got the win in relief and Andrew Bailey got his sixth save.

TORONTO (AP) — Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer, Aaron Sanchez struck out 10 and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Tuesday night in the opener of their AL wild-card showdown.

Ezequiel Carrera also homered as the Blue Jays won for the sixth time in eight games. They lead the wild-card standings by two games over the Orioles with five to play.

Baltimore leads Detroit by one game for the league’s final playoff spot.

Orioles slugger Chris Davis was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Will Little after striking out against Joe Biagini in the seventh, the third time in three at-bats Davis was caught looking. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter also was tossed after he came out to argue.

Sanchez (14-2) struck out the first four hitters he faced and five of the first six.

Kevin Gausman (8-12) allowed five runs, four earned, and seven hits in six innings.

YANKEES 6, RED SOX 4

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and Tyler Austin homered off David Price, and New York ended Boston’s 11-game winning streak and delayed its AL East title celebration.

David Ortiz, starting his final series in the Bronx, went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and stranded seven runners. He ended the game by fanning with two on against Tyler Clippard.

Having clinched at least a wild-card berth last weekend, Boston is five games ahead of second-place Toronto with five games left, needing just one victory or a Blue Jays loss to ensure the division championship.

Price (17-9) allowed six runs and 12 hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Blake Parker (1-0) got two outs for his first victory since July 10, 2014 while with the Cubs. Clippard got his second save.

METS 12, MARLINS 1

MIAMI (AP) — Noah Syndergaard struck out eight and allowed one run in six innings, and New York totaled 19 hits to beat grieving Miami.

Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes each hit his 31st homer for the Mets, who maintained a half-game lead on the Giants for the first NL wild card, with St. Louis 1 1/2 games behind New York.

The game was the Marlins’ second since the death of ace Jose Fernandez in a boating accident.

Syndergaard (14-9) threw 93 pitches after missing a scheduled start Saturday with strep throat and lowered his ERA to 2.60, third-best in the majors. He’ll return to pitch the regular-season finale Sunday at Philadelphia if needed.

Tom Koehler (9-13) allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings.

GIANTS 12, ROCKIES 3

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Buster Posey homered for his 1,000th hit, Hunter Pence also went deep one batter later and San Francisco beat Colorado.

Brandon Crawford tripled twice for San Francisco, which remained a half-game behind the Mets for the top NL wild card and one game up on the Cardinals for the second spot.

Matt Moore (12-12) matched his career high with 11 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings, rebounding from his worst start this season.

German Marquez (1-1) allowed six runs and 12 hits over 4 1/3 innings.

ASTROS 8, MARINERS 4

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer had three hits, including a two-run double during a six-run sixth inning, and Houston beat Seattle.

The victory leaves Seattle two games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card and cuts Houston’s deficit in the race to 2 1/2 games.

The Astros got five hits off Felix Hernandez (11-7) in the sixth, but only two of the six runs scored in the inning were earned because of two errors.

Rookie Jandel Gustave (1-0) yielded no hits and no runs with one walk in 1 1/3 innings for his first career win.

TIGERS 12, INDIANS 0

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in five runs in the first two innings, and Justin Verlander struck out 12 to lift Detroit over a Cleveland lineup full of backups.

The Indians clinched the AL Central title Monday night in Detroit, and their starting lineup Tuesday was without Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Mike Napoli and Jose Ramirez. Detroit took full advantage, beating Cleveland for only the third time all year and pulling within a game of Baltimore for the AL’s second wild card.

Verlander (16-8) went 7 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and a walk.

Mike Clevinger (2-3) lasted only two innings, allowing Cabrera’s two-run double in the first and his three-run homer in the second.

CUBS 6, PIRATES 4

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Coghlan hit a three-run triple and John Lackey worked in and out of trouble over five innings, helping Chicago beat reeling Pittsburgh.

Coghlan’s second-inning drive off the wall in right-center against Ryan Vogelsong (3-7) gave the NL Central champions all the offense they would need to win for the seventh time in their last eight games. Chicago improved to 101-56, the club’s highest victory total since it won 104 games in 1910.

Lackey (11-8) worked around five hits and three walks to win his last regular season start.

Felix Pena recorded the final two outs for his first career save.

The Pirates were eliminated from postseason contention, ending a run of three straight playoff appearances.

NATIONALS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 2

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out 10 and allowed two runs in six innings and Anthony Rendon hit a go-ahead three-run homer as Washington beat Arizona to inch closer to home-field advantage in the NL Division Series.

Scherzer (19-7) was not at his Cy Young Award candidate best, uncharacteristically missing spots and allowing six hits, including a leadoff home run by Jean Segura.

After the Nationals didn’t get a hit through five innings against Arizona starter Matt Koch, Rendon hit a three-run shot off Randall Delgado (4-2) with two outs in the sixth, his 19th of the season.

CARDINALS 12, REDS 5

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Playing with a heavy heart, Aledmys Diaz hit his first career grand slam and St. Louis finished with five home runs.

St. Louis is a game behind the Giants for the second NL wild card.

Jhonny Peralta had a three-run homer and drove in four runs for the Cardinals, who had lost four of five. Matt Carpenter, Randal Grichuk and Matt Adams also homered.

Cincinnati starter Robert Stephenson (2-3) ended up allowing five runs in four innings.

Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright (13-9) gave up five runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings.

RANGERS 6, BREWERS 4

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jonathan Lucroy hit a go-ahead two-run double against his former team in the sixth inning to help Texas beat Milwaukee.

The Rangers have a half-game lead over Boston for the best record in the American League.

Lucroy’s hit made a winner of reliever Tony Barnette (7-3).

Lucroy, who played six-plus seasons for the Brewers before being traded to the Rangers on Aug. 1, pulled a pitch from Jimmy Nelson (8-16) down the left-field line into the corner.

Sam Dyson earned his 37th save.

PADRES 7, DODGERS 1

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Hunter Renfroe hit his first career grand slam and also had a three-run shot to drive in all the runs in San Diego’s victory over the NL West champs.

Renfroe hit a high, arcing three-run homer to left field off Kenta Maeda (16-10) with two outs in the first inning. His grand slam to straightaway center came on a full-count pitch from Louis Coleman with two outs in the eighth.

His seven RBIs were one shy of the team record.

Paul Clemens (4-5) held the Dodgers to one run and three hits in five innings, struck out two and walked one.

ROYALS 4, TWINS 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Billy Burns’ sacrifice fly scored Raul Mondesi in the 11th inning as Kansas City beat Minnesota, staving off postseason elimination.

The defending World Series champions are five games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card with five to play.

Rookie Brooks Pounders (2-1) picked up the victory. Left-hander Tommy Milone (3-5) was charged with the loss.

WHITE SOX 13, RAYS 6

CHICAGO (AP) — Melky Cabrera and Leury Garcia homered to back Chris Sale, and Chicago routed sloppy Tampa Bay.

Sale (17-9) allowed three runs and eight hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings.

Rays starter Alex Cobb (1-2) lasted three innings, allowing eight runs and eight hits in the Rays’ fifth straight loss.

BRAVES 7, PHILLIES 6

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit his career-high 33rd homer and stretched his career-best hitting streak to 29 games, helping Atlanta begin its final homestand at Turner Field with a victory.

David Hernandez (3-4) ended a scoreless streak of 10 2/3 innings and took the loss. Mauricio Cabrera (4-1) got the win for the Braves, and Jim Johnson got his 18th save.

ANGELS 8, ATHLETICS 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Jefry Marte hit his first career grand slam in a seven-run fourth inning and Los Angeles beat Oakland.

Right-hander Ricky Nolasco (8-14) held the A’s to one unearned run in eight innings. Right-hander Daniel Mengden (2-9) was charged with eight runs in three-plus innings.

NEW YORK (AP) — His playing days dwindling, Mark Teixeira gave himself a moment to savor Wednesday night and rescued the New York Yankees in the process.

Teixeira hit a game-winning grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Yankees staved off playoff elimination at the last possible instant with a 5-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

“That’s as good as it gets right there,” said Teixeira, set to retire after this season.

Boston clinched the AL East title nearly 30 minutes before Teixeira connected, thanks to Toronto’s 3-2 loss against Baltimore. But a five-run comeback by New York in the ninth prevented its longtime rival from celebrating on the Yankee Stadium field.

“It’s an unbelievable moment,” manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s a great moment for him, and it’s a great moment for us.”

The victory by the Orioles put the Yankees on the brink of wild-card elimination following a surprising charge late this season. New York had only one infield hit and trailed 3-0 heading into the ninth, with Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel (2-5) jogging in from the bullpen on a misty and blustery night in the Bronx.

Kimbrel, however, gave up a leadoff single to Brett Gardner and issued three straight walks, the last forcing in a run.

Red Sox manager John Farrell turned to Joe Kelly, who struck out Starlin Castro and retired Didi Gregorius on a foul popup. With the Yankees down to their last out, Teixeira launched a 99 mph fastball on an 0-1 count into the New York bullpen in right-center.

“You don’t want a wall-scraper in an 8-0 game to be your last one. You want a walkoff grand slam against the Red Sox,” Teixeira said. “I’ll still be trying the next four games, but if it happens to be my last one, it will be pretty special.”

Yankees relievers raised their arms in excitement, and Teixeira puffed his cheeks and spread his arms wide as he rounded first base. The 36-year-old slugger, in his 14th big league season, tossed his helmet as happy New York players poured out of the dugout to swarm him at home plate.

“I’m going to take away a lot of memories. This will be one of the best,” Teixeira said. “That’s as good as I can hit a ball.”

New York (82-76) guaranteed its 24th consecutive winning season, the second-longest streak in major league history behind the Yankees’ run of 39 straight from 1926-64.

It was the team’s first game-ending slam since Alex Rodriguez on April 7, 2007.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox walked back to their bench and quietly cleared out of the dugout, an awkward way to mark their second division crown in four years. But once they returned to their clubhouse, they let loose and celebrated with the traditional beer and bubbly.

“Can’t let one inning deter our whole season,” outfielder Mookie Betts said.

James Pazos (1-0) earned his first major league win, and the Yankees remained four games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card with four to play.

Though the final score in Toronto was posted on the out-of-town scoreboard, the Red Sox hardly seemed to notice as players draped their arms over the dugout railing and rooted for Kimbrel in the ninth.

Red Sox executives, however, jumped out of their front-row seats next to the Boston dugout and rejoiced when the Blue Jays’ game ended, giving Boston its eighth AL East title.

Betts snapped a scoreless tie when he chopped a two-run double over third base in the eighth inning. David Ortiz scored moments later on Gary Sanchez’s passed ball.

Boston, which had already secured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs, will open its postseason schedule Oct. 6 seeking a second World Series crown since 2013. The team’s first opponent has not been determined yet.

“You never want to see a team celebrate on your home field, or celebrate at all, so we’ll take that as a positive tonight,” Teixeira said in the clubhouse, where he was congratulated by Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

ORIOLES 3, BLUE JAYS 2

TORONTO (AP) — Hyun Soo Kim hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth inning off Roberto Osuna, and Baltimore beat Toronto to move within one game of the AL wild-card-leading Blue Jays.

With Toronto ahead 2-1, Jonathan Schoop singled with one out, pinch-runner Michael Bourn stole second and Kim homered on a 3-2 pitch into the visiting bullpen in right.

Osuna (3-3) has five blown save chances, including two in his last three appearances.

Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo hit his major league-leading 46th home run, a solo drive off Jason Grilli in the eighth. Brian Duensing (1-0) got one out, and Zach Britton finished for his 47th save.

TIGERS 6, INDIANS 3, 5 INNINGS

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth inning, moments before the game was halted for good, and Detroit came away with a rain-shortened victory over Cleveland to keep pace with Baltimore in the AL wild-card race.

Detroit trails the Orioles by one game for the AL’s second wild card, and the Tigers certainly caught a break in this one. The rain was a factor throughout the evening — there was also a delay during the third inning — and it was certainly coming down when Detroit began its rally in the fifth.

With two on and one out, Cabrera hit a line drive over the wall in right off Joseph Colon (1-3) for his 36th homer. Blaine Hardy (1-0) won in relief of Michael Fulmer.

ROCKIES 2, GIANTS 0

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jeff Samardzija gave San Francisco a chance to grab momentum after a big offensive outburst a night earlier, but the playoff-hopeful Giants wasted it with a costly dud.

Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood (12-9) struck out nine in eight innings and outdueled Samardzija (12-11), shutting down San Francisco a day after the Giants pounded 19 hits in a 12-3 win.

San Francisco dropped to 1 1/2 games behind the Mets for the top wild card and remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot after the Cardinals lost to Cincinnati.

Adam Ottavino got his sixth save.

PIRATES 8, CUBS 4

PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Jaso hit for the cycle and drove in five runs in Pittsburgh’s victory over Chicago.

Jaso tripled off reliever Pedro Strop in the seventh inning for the first cycle in the history of PNC Park and the first for the Pirates since 2004. Jaso’s final hit was a fly ball to center field. He hesitated rounding second base, but went on and the throw from Albert Almora Jr. was up the baseline.

Jaso accomplished the feat in just four at-bats. The last Pirate to hit for the cycle was Daryle Ward on May 26, 2004, in St. Louis. The last Pirates’ home cycle was by Jason Kendall on May 19, 2000, against the Cardinals at Three Rivers Stadium.

Against Chicago starter Jake Arrieta (18-8), Jaso singled in the second inning, hit a three-run home run in the fourth and doubled in the fifth. Arrieta went five innings and allowed 10 hits and seven runs, both season highs.

Pirates starter Jameson Taillon (5-4) allowed one hit and struck out four in six innings.

Chicago’s Anthony Rizzo hit a solo homer, his 32nd of the season.

RANGERS 8, BREWERS 5

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Carlos Gomez hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and AL-leading Texas beat Milwaukee for its major league-best 49th come-from-behind victory.

Texas (94-65) moved closer to home-field advantage with a 1 1/2-game lead over Boston for the best record in the American League.

Jonathan Lucroy, the catcher traded from Milwaukee to Texas on Aug. 1, reached to start the eighth on a two-base error when the ball ricocheted off the glove of center fielder Hernan Perez. Delino DeShields came on as a pinch-runner, and after Mitch Moreland walked, he scored the tying run when Elvis Andrus greeted reliever Tyler Thornburg with a single to center.

Gomez then hit a 418-foot homer to left, his 13th this season. It was the eighth in 31 games for the Brewers’ former two-time All-Star since joining the Rangers last month after being released by Houston. He had a three-run homer on Tuesday night, that one traveling 444 feet.

Rougned Odor hit a two-run homer in the first for the Rangers, his 32nd.

Jeremy Jeffress (1-0) worked the final two innings, winning for AL West champion Texas five days after being reinstated by Major League Baseball from the restricted list following a drunken driving arrest last month and then a three-week stint in an inpatient rehab clinic.

Corey Knebel (1-4) was the loser.

ROYALS 5, TWINS 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kendrys Morales and Alex Gordon keyed an eighth-inning rally and Kansas City beat Minnesota, but the Royals were still knocked out of playoff contention.

The defending World Series champs were eliminated when Baltimore beat Toronto.

Morales’ ground-rule double to right scored Jarrod Dyson, who had doubled and stole third. Gordon’s single scored Whit Merrifield and pinch-runner Billy Burns.

Taylor Rogers (3-1), the fourth of five Twins pitchers, took the loss after allowing three runs, three hits and two walks while retiring only one of the six batters he faced.

Joakim Soria (5-8) worked a scoreless eighth to pick up the victory. Wade Davis got his 27th save.

METS 5, MARLINS 2

MIAMI (AP) — The Marlins walked half a block alongside a hearse carrying their ace away from Marlins Park at the start of a funeral motorcade, then peeled away with watery eyes to go back inside and play.

Drained by four days of grieving Jose Fernandez’s death in a boating accident, Miami didn’t have much left for the New York Mets. Jay Bruce hit his 32nd home run, James Loney also homered and New York helped their NL wild-card chances by beating Miami.

The Marlins’ loss in their home finale eliminated them from playoff contention. Despite high hopes this year, they still haven’t been to the postseason since 2003.

Set Lugo (5-2) went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs.

Jose Urena (4-9) allowed five runs in five innings.

MARINERS 12, ASTROS 4

HOUSTON (AP) — Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Seattle beat Houston to keep pressure on the other AL wild-card contenders.

Cano’s career-best 36th home run, a drive off Doug Fister (12-13), landed in the first row of the Crawford Boxes in left field. Cano has nine homers and 25 RBIs in 19 games against Houston this season.

Kyle Seager added another three-run drive in the eighth, his 30th home run this season.

James Paxton (6-7) allowed three runs and six hits in five innings, striking out eight.

Fister gave up five runs and five hits over 1 1/3 innings in the shortest start of his big league career. George Springer and Evan Gattis homered for Houston.

PADRES 6, DODGERS 5

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Hunter Renfroe hit the first home run in Petco Park history to land on the roof of the brick warehouse in the left-field corner and drove in four runs to lead San Diego.

With one out in the third, Renfroe drove a two-run homer off Jose De Leon onto the top of the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a remnant from the skid row neighborhood that made way for Petco Park, which opened in 2004. It went an estimated 435 feet.

The Dodgers lost despite hitting three home runs off rookie Luis Perdomo (9-10). Ross Stripling (5-9) allowed a run in three innings.

REDS 2, CARDINALS 1

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Duvall’s two-run single was all Cincinnati needed to beat St. Louis.

The Reds’ third win in their last four games dealt a blow to the Cardinals’ playoff hopes. St. Louis lost ground in the race for the two NL wild cards.

Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani (9-5) allowed one runner in each of the first four innings, but only once during that span did the Cardinals have anyone in scoring position. He stranded five runners, including two in the sixth, his last inning. He allowed six hits and one run.

It was the fifth quality start out of six in DeSclafani’s career against the Cardinals. He improved to 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA against St. Louis.

Duvall drove in his 101st and 102nd RBIs with his third-inning single. He has seven RBI in the series.

Raisel Iglesias earned his fifth save in six opportunities with two innings of relief.

DIAMONDBACKS 3, NATIONALS 0, 5 INNINGS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shelby Miller threw five shutout innings, Jean Segura had three hits to reach 200 for the season and Arizona beat Washington Nationals a rain-shortened game.

The start of the game was delayed 33 minutes by rain and was called with one out in the top of the sixth inning after waiting out a second delay of 70 minutes.

The NL East-champion Nationals have lost two of three to the last-place Diamondbacks and seven of their last 11 games overall.

Miller (3-12) capped an otherwise forgetful season with one of his best outings of the year, allowing five hits with one walk and striking out five to earn his first win since June 20.

Gio Gonzalez (11-11), Washington’s projected No. 3 starter in the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, struggled in his final tune up before the postseason.

WHITE SOX 1, RAYS 0

CHICAGO (AP) — Todd Frazier hit his 40th home run, Miguel Gonzalez waited out a rain delay to throw 8 1/3 dominant innings and Chicago beat Tampa Bay.

Frazier set a career high and became the seventh White Sox player to reach the homer milestone when he connected off knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa (0-2) with two out in the seventh. Frazier is hitting .391 (18 for 46) during a 12-game hitting streak.

Gonzalez (5-7) returned after a 1 hour, 16-minute delay in the third inning and retired 18 of 19 before being lifted after Logan Forsythe’s one-out single to left in the ninth. David Robertson got the final two outs for his 37th save in 44 tries.

The game also was delayed 21 minutes before the start. It was 57 degrees at first pitch and rain came and went amid blustery conditions as a tiny crowd watched Chicago win its fifth straight. The game itself lasted only 2 hours, 10 minutes.

BRAVES 12, PHILLIES 2

ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer, Daniel Castro had three RBIs and Dansby Swanson also drove in two runs, leading Atlanta past Philadelphia.

Mike Foltynewicz (9-5) pitched two-hit ball over five innings in his first start since Sept. 12, when he left a game against Miami with a left calf contusion.

The Braves won for the ninth time in their last 10 games. They have 21 victories in 34 games since Aug. 21, bouncing back from a dismal start.

Adam Morgan (2-11) lasted five innings, giving up 10 hits and nine runs.

ANGELS 8, ATHLETICS 6

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kole Calhoun homered, Alex Meyer earned his second major league win and Los Angeles held off a late rally from Oakland to sweep the three-game series.

Meyer (2-3) limited the A’s to two runs and five hits over four innings. J.C. Ramirez pitched a perfect ninth to convert his second save.

Mike Trout was hit by a John Axford fastball in the back of his left shoulder in the eighth inning and was removed from the game.

Ross Detwiler (3-3) took the loss.

BOSTON (AP) — David Ortiz hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Friday night.

The AL East champion Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak and stayed a half-game ahead of Cleveland in the race for home-field advantage when their playoff series begins next week.

The Blue Jays fell one game behind Baltimore in the wild-card race and are now within range of Detroit and Seattle in the fight for the AL’s final postseason berth.

With his image mowed into the grass in center for the final regular-season series of his career, Ortiz hit his 38th homer of the year — and No. 541 of his career — to help Boston rally from a 3-1 deficit with four runs in the seventh.

Dustin Pedroia had three hits for Boston, and Brad Ziegler (2-3) picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 31st save.

Devon Travis had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Jose Bautista homered for Toronto. Joe Biagini (4-3) got the loss.

RANGERS 3, RAYS 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Yu Darvish looked playoff-ready with a season-high 12 strikeouts in six innings, and Texas clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

The Rangers have the tiebreakers over fellow contenders Boston and Cleveland. The AL owns home-field advantage in the World Series thanks to its win in the All-Star Game.

Darvish (7-5) allowed one run and three hits.

Shin-Soo Choo returned to Texas’ lineup after missing 39 games with a fractured left forearm. Choo pulled a single to right in his first plate appearance since Aug. 15 and went 1 for 4.

Matt Andriese (8-8) gave up three runs and seven hits, including solo home runs to Carlos Beltran and Rougned Odor.

ORIOLES 8, YANKEES 1

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo hit his major league-leading 47th home run, and Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones also went deep in a six-run fifth inning.

The Orioles opened a one-game lead over the Blue Jays and remain 1 1/2 games in front of Detroit for the AL’s two wild cards. Two games are left, and the Orioles’ magic number for a postseason berth is two.

Trumbo and Jones homered off Michael Pineda (6-12), who started with 3 2/3 hitless innings and suddenly became ineffective.

Schoop tied his career high with five RBIs. Yovani Gallardo (6-8) won for just the second time in nine starts since Aug. 5, allowing two hits, three walks and Mark Teixeira’s sacrifice fly in six innings.

Eliminated on Thursday, New York rested two regulars and pulled four others by the sixth inning.

METS 5, PHILLIES 1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jay Bruce homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs, Robert Gsellman threw six sharp innings and the Mets moved closer to securing a wild-card berth.

The defending NL champions reduced their magic number to one. The Mets began the night atop the wild-card race, with San Francisco one game back and St. Louis two behind.

Gsellman (4-2) scattered seven hits and struck out seven.

Philadelphia starter Alec Asher (2-1) allowed three runs and five hits in six-plus innings.

CARDINALS 7, PIRATES 0

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Martinez pitched seven sharp innings, Matt Holliday hit an emotional home run and St. Louis stayed in the middle of the NL wild-card race.

The Cardinals began the day trailing San Francisco by one game for the second wild card. The Giants hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers later Thursday night.

Martinez (16-9) gave up five singles, walked one and struck out nine.

Holliday, who broke his left thumb when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 11, asked the club to activate him Friday to make what could be his farewell appearance in a Cardinals uniform. The Cardinals are not planning to pick up their $17 million option on his contract for 2017.

Holliday received a standing ovation before he pinch-hit in the seventh and responded with his 20th homer, and then came out for a curtain call.

Pittsburgh’s Tyler Glasnow (0-2) pitched five innings of one-run ball.

TIGERS 6, BRAVES 2

ATLANTA (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit two home runs, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton also connected and Detroit moved up in the playoff race.

The Tigers won their third straight and pulled within a half-game of Toronto for the second AL wild card.

The regular season is scheduled to end Sunday, but the Tigers might need to play beyond that. They were rained out against Cleveland this week and would have to make up that game if it impacts their playoff chances.

Detroit’s Daniel Norris (4-2) gave up one run and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings.

The Braves, playing their final series at Turner Field before moving north to the suburbs next year, had won 10 of 11. Matt Wisler (7-13) got the loss.

MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 4

WASHINGTON (AP) — Christian Yelich homered for Miami, and Dee Gordon’s infield single in the sixth inning scored the go-ahead run.

The game began following a 1 hour, 43 minute rain delay. The series opener came a day after a memorial service in Florida for Jose Fernandez. The Marlins ace died in a boating accident Sunday.

Mike Dunn (6-1) got the win and A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth for his 40th save.

Anthony Rendon and Stephen Drew hit back-to-back home runs for Washington in a four-run fourth. Sammy Solis (2-4) got the loss.

Bryce Harper went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts in his return to the Nationals lineup after sitting out the previous four days with a left thumb injury.

CUBS 7, REDS 3

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ben Zobrist homered twice and drove in three runs, helping the Cubs to the win.

Jake Buchanan (1-0) pitched five shutout innings as Chicago improved to 14-3 against Cincinnati this season with two games to play. The right-hander allowed two hits in his first start since 2014 with Houston.

Anthony Rizzo also drove in two runs for the NL Central champions, who were coming off a rare tie in Pittsburgh due to rain.

Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the ninth for last-place Cincinnati, which announced before the game that manager Bryan Price would return next season. Josh Smith (3-3) was charged with two runs and three hits in five-plus innings.

WHITE SOX 7, TWINS 3

CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodon tied an AL record by striking out the first seven batters and Tim Anderson had three hits to help the White Sox hand the Twins their 103rd loss — the most since the franchise moved to Minnesota.

Rodon (9-10) finished with 10 strikeouts in six innings and was charged with three runs and three hits. Anderson also drove in two runs in Chicago’s sixth win in seven games.

Tyler Duffey (9-12) gave up five runs in two-plus innings to ensure Minnesota won’t have a 10-game winner while reaching the most losses since the Washington Senators went 50-104 in 1949. The 57-103 Twins have two games left.

INDIANS 7, ROYALS 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan Merritt retired his final 13 batters while pitching five strong innings in his first big league start and Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer for Cleveland.

Merritt (1-0) gave up a run on three hits in the first, but nothing after that. Merritt, who had made three relief appearances after being promoted Sept. 11 from Triple-A Columbus, threw 62 pitches, striking out four and walking none.

Lindor, who snapped an 0-for-29 drought with a double in a four-run third, homered off the left-field foul pole in the seventh.

Kansas City’s Yordano Ventura (11-12) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings.

ROCKIES 4, BREWERS 1

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado hit his NL-leading 41st homer for Colorado, and Chad Bettis pitched effectively into the seventh inning.

Bettis (14-8) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings while extending a career high in wins this season. He struck out five in the Rockies’ first win in four games against Milwaukee this season.

Carlos Estevez got four outs before Adam Ottavino worked the ninth for his seventh save.

Chris Carter connected in the fourth inning, becoming the sixth player in Brewers history to reach 40 home runs in a season. Brent Suter (2-2) got the loss.

GIANTS 9, DODGERS 3

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner lined a key two-run double in the sixth and emphatically pumped his arms while yelling in celebration at second base, and San Francisco maintained its slim lead for the second NL wild card.

Brandon Belt added a three-run homer in the seven-run inning and Bumgarner (15-9) beat the Dodgers for the first time in seven starts since May 21, 2015. It was win No. 100 of his career.

The Mets stayed one game ahead of the Giants for the top wild card, while San Francisco remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot.

Angel Pagan might have made the play of the night — without his glove or bat. He body-slammed a male fan in the left field grass during the fourth inning after he ran onto the field.

Once Rich Hill left the game, San Francisco pounced against Brandon McCarthy (2-3).

ANGELS 7, ASTROS 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jefry Marte homered and scored twice and Daniel Wright earned his first major league victory to help the Angels beat Houston.

In Wright’s ninth big league appearance, he limited the Astros to one run and six hits while striking out five. Wright (1-5), who was claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 4, became the 24th pitcher to get a win for the Angels this season, setting an American League record. The Texas Rangers previously held the record with 23 winning pitchers in 2014.

Mike Trout set a club record with his 114th walk of the season, breaking Tony Phillips’ previous Angels record set in 1995. Trout stole two bases, bringing his season total to 29.

The Angels broke the game open with a four-run second inning. Brad Peacock (0-1) loaded the bases with no outs for Kaleb Cowart, who doubled to empty them. Kowart took third on the throw, allowing him to score while Ji-Man Choi was caught in a rundown two batters later.

MARINERS 5, ATHLETICS 1

SEATTLE (AP) — Robinson Cano hit two home runs, Taijuan Walker pitched six effective innings and Seattle moved within one game of the second AL wild-card spot.

Seattle, which has won seven of nine, is one game behind Toronto for the second spot. The Mariners also trail Detroit by a half-game.

Cano had a two-run homer in the first. He added his 38th home run in the third, a solo shot that gave him 100 RBIs for the season. Norichika Aoki and Nelson Cruz also homered off Raul Alcantara (1-3), who was tagged for five runs on seven hits in two-plus innings.

Walker (8-11) allowed one run on two hits in six innings, but walked five in a 113-pitch outing. The only run came on Ryon Healy’s 13th homer to open the sixth. Evan Scribner, Nick Vincent and Steve Cishek each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

DIAMONDBACKS 5, PADRES 3

PHOENIX (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Owings each hit a two-run home run and Arizona opened its final series of a disappointing season with a win.

Ryan Schimpf hit a two-run home run for San Diego.

Randall Delgado (5-2) pitched an inning of relief to get the victory. Patrick Corbin threw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief before Daniel Hudson came on to get Wil Myers to pop out to first for his fifth save.

Edwin Jackson (5-7) gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings to take the loss.

The crowd for the matchup between the bottom two teams in the NL West was announced at 42,651, the second-largest of the season at home for the Diamondbacks. Only the season opener drew more.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The New York Mets clinched a playoff spot Saturday, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 to secure the top National League wild card.

The defending NL champions will host San Francisco or St. Louis on Wednesday night at Citi Field, with the winner advancing to face the Chicago Cubs.

James Loney hit a two-run homer to back Bartolo Colon (15-8), and Jeurys Familia closed for his major league-high 51st save. T.J. Rivera, Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera each had an RBI single.

The only other time the Mets made the postseason in consecutive years was 1999-2000. New York won the NL East last season and went all the way to the World Series before losing to Kansas City.

By clinching with one day to spare in the regular season, the Mets can save All-Star ace Noah Syndergaard for the wild-card game.

Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer in what was likely his penultimate game with the Phillies, who have dropped six straight. Patrick Schuster (0-1) took the loss.

GIANTS 3, DODGERS 0

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants rookie Ty Blach outpitched ace Clayton Kershaw, and San Francisco held its lead for the last NL playoff spot going into the final day of the regular season.

The Giants stayed one game ahead of St. Louis for the second wild card.

Blach (1-0) earned his first big league victory, pitching eight innings of three-hit ball. He struck out six and walked one in his second start in the majors, and also got his first two hits.

Sergio Romo closed for his fourth save.

Angel Pagan homered in the fifth off Kershaw (12-4) to break a scoreless tie. Kershaw will start Game 1 of the Division Series against Washington — the Los Angeles loss gave the Nationals home-field advantage.

CARDINALS 4, PIRATES 3

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jedd Gyorko hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, Matt Holliday provided another big boost and St. Louis pushed the playoff race to the final day.

The Cardinals trail San Francisco by one game for the second NL wild card.

Gyorko’s 30th homer came off Felipe Rivero (1-6).

Kevin Siegrist (6-3) pitched the eighth. Seung Hwan Oh left runners at second and third for his 19th save.

BLUE JAYS 4, RED SOX 3

BOSTON (AP) — The Blue Jays almost balked away a pivotal game in their postseason chase.

With Toronto leading in the eighth inning thanks to another strong start from 20-game winner J.A. Happ, Roberto Osuna balked in the tying run. But Ezequiel Carrera delivered a sacrifice fly in the ninth, and Toronto beat Boston 4-3 on Saturday night to move into a tie with Baltimore for the top spot in the AL wild-card race.

“We had the lead and the tying run scores on balk. I was worried about the baseball gods,” said manager John Gibbons, whose team is tied with the Orioles at 88 wins with one game to play. “We want to enjoy this one. They’re hard to come by.”

Toronto owns the tie-breaker with Baltimore and would host the wild-card game if it wins the season finale Sunday. Detroit is also still in the wild-card hunt but would require losses by the Jays or Orioles to get in.

With the loss, Boston fell one-half game behind Cleveland in the race for home-field advantage when their AL Division Series begins on Thursday.

“Obviously, we would like the home-field advantage,” Boston utilityman Brock Holt said. “We’ll come ready to go tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll play that first game here.”

One night after the Blue Jays blew a 3-1 lead and gave up the winning homer to the soon-to-be-retired David Ortiz, Happ seemed poised to pick up his 21st win. But with Toronto leading 3-2 in the eighth, Mookie Betts doubled, took third on Holt’s hard-hit double-play ball and then scored to tie it when the Blue Jays closer Osuna stopped his motion after starting to get into the stretch.

“That was a pretty obvious one,” said Betts, who had two hits and scored twice for Boston.

Osuna got Jackie Bradley Jr. to end the inning.

With Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel (2-6) pitching in the ninth, Michael Saunders drew a leadoff walk, and then pinch-runner Dalton Pompey took second on a sacrifice bunt, third on a wild pitch and scored on Carrera’s fly to left.

“We grinded out at-bats,” said Toronto’s Kevin Pillar, who drove in three runs on a pair of RBI singles. “We know what the alternative is: going home. You don’t put this much work in to fold up shop and go home.”

Kimbrel has losses in two of his last three appearances, issuing six walks while completing two innings. Since Sept. 22, his ERA has risen from 2.52 to 3.40.

The 21-year-old Osuna (4-3) retired the Red Sox in order in the ninth to recover from his sixth blown save of the season.

YANKEES 7, ORIOLES 3

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Austin tied the score with a seventh-inning home run, Austin Romine and Brett Gardner drove in two runs each in the eighth and New York rallied from a three-run deficit to stall Baltimore’s playoff push.

Thanks to Detroit’s loss Saturday night, however, Baltimore (88-73) can clinch an AL wild card with a win Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

All-Star setup man Brad Brach (10-4) took the loss. He was charged with a season-high four runs.

Tyler Clippard (2-3) pitched a perfect eighth, and Dellin Betances struck out the side after an infield hit in the ninth. The Yankees stopped the Orioles’ three-game winning streak and sent them to their second loss in eight games.

Mark Trumbo had four hits for Baltimore, which built a 3-0 lead against Luis Severino on Michael Bourn’s two-run single and Manny Machado’s 37th home run. Machado’s third-inning, opposite-field drive to right ended an 0-for-17 slide.

BRAVES 5, TIGERS 3

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis homered, rookie Aaron Blair had a career-high 10 strikeouts and last-place Atlanta damaged Detroit’s playoff hopes.

The Tigers dropped 1 1/2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot. They need a win Sunday and a loss by Baltimore or Toronto to avoid postseason elimination.

The Tigers will have ace Justin Verlander on the mound Sunday. Depending on the playoff scenario, Detroit’s regular season might extend with a makeup home game Monday against Cleveland.

Atlanta took a 5-2 lead in the seventh on Adonis Garcia’s two-run single, but reliever Mauricio Cabrera loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth. Chaz Roe struck out Miguel Cabrera and got J.D. Martinez to ground into a double play.

Braves closer Jim Johnson gave up a run in the ninth on Jose Iglesias’ infield single but retired pinch-hitter Victor Martinez to earn his 19th save. The Braves have won 11 of 13 heading into the last game at Turner Field.

Blair (2-7) entered with an 8.02 ERA but gave up four hits and two runs in five innings.

Detroit starter Jordan Zimmermann (9-7) went four innings and is 0-4 with an 11.64 ERA in four starts since June 24.

NATIONALS 2, MARLINS 1

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals rookie Trea Turner hit his 13th homer, Tanner Roark tuned up for the playoffs with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball and Washington beat Miami while clinching home-field advantage in the NL Division Series.

NL East champion Washington’s third trip to the postseason in five years will begin Friday in the nation’s capital against the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with Max Scherzer slated to face Clayton Kershaw.

The Nationals, it turned out, didn’t need to beat the Marlins — which they did, thanks to Turner, Roark (16-10) and Bryce Harper’s RBI single. The Dodgers’ loss to San Francisco assured Washington a better record and was announced before the bottom of the seventh to the Nationals Park crowd of 31,635, which responded with a standing ovation.

Wei-Yin Chen (5-5) allowed two runs in five innings.

Mark Melancon got four outs for his 46th save.

INDIANS 6, ROYALS 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a two-out, two-run double during an eighth-inning rally to help Cleveland beat Kansas City .

Kevin McCarthy replaced Matt Strahm (2-2) with a runner on and walked the bases loaded before Lindor’s double over third base.

Mike Clevinger (3-3) won for the AL Central champs by retiring the only two batters he faced. Cody Allen worked the ninth for his 31st save in 34 opportunities.

Trevor Bauer tuned up for the postseason by striking out nine over six innings of three-run ball. Bauer will start Game 1 of the Division Series against Boston.

REDS 7, CUBS 4

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jon Lester failed to become a 20-game winner, struggling for the first time since mid-July as the Reds pulled away to a victory over what’s likely to be the Cubs’ lineup for the first game of the playoffs.

Lester (19-5) gave up five runs in five innings, including Eugenio Suarez’s two-run homer and a pair of RBIs by Joey Votto. The left-hander hadn’t allowed five runs in a start since July 9.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon has been getting players — especially his starting pitchers — some rest heading into the postseason. Even so, the Cubs have won eight of 12, finishing one of their best regular seasons with a flourish. Chicago’s 102 victories are its most since 1910.

Tim Adleman (4-4) gave up three runs in five innings as part of a rare Reds victory over Chicago.

RAYS 4, RANGERS 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Colby Lewis lost his fifth straight start in the right-hander’s tuneup for the playoffs, allowing Corey Dickerson’s three-run homer in Tampa Bay’s victory.

All four runs off Lewis (6-5) came in the third inning and were unearned.

The Rangers rested most of their starters a night after the AL West winners clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Texas (95-66) remains a win shy of the franchise record.

Jake Odorizzi (10-6) struck out eight in six innings, giving up his only run on Robinson Chirinos’ eighth homer in the sixth.

Alex Colome pitched around Dickerson’s dropped fly ball leading off the ninth for his 37th save.

TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 0

CHICAGO (AP) — Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco each hit a two-run home run to send James Shields to a major league high-tying 19th loss.

The Twins got 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball from Hector Santiago (13-10) in their third win in 14 games.

Shields (6-19) concluded a career-worst season split between San Diego and Chicago by allowing five runs and four hits over seven innings.

ASTROS 3, ANGELS 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Collin McHugh pitched three-hit ball over 7 2/3 innings to help Houston beat Los Angeles.

Tyler Skaggs (3-4) was removed after 1 2/3 innings. Ken Giles converted his 15th save.

BREWERS 4, ROCKIES 3

DENVER (AP) — Chris Carter hit a tiebreaking home run with two outs in the 10th inning, leading Milwaukee over Colorado.

Carter’s 41st homer of the season came on a 3-2 pitch against Adam Ottavino (1-3).

The Rockies tied it against Tyler Thornburg (7-5) in the ninth on pinch-hitter Tom Murphy’s RBI double.

DIAMONDBACKS 9, PADRES 5

PHOENIX (AP) — Yasmany Tomas hit a three-run homer as part of Arizona’s five-run first inning in a win.

The Diamondbacks stole six bases, including a franchise record-tying four in the first inning.

Diamondbacks starter Archie Bradley (8-9) struck out a career high 11 in seven innings.

Clayton Richard (3-4) gave up four earned runs and six hits with four walks in 4 1/3 innings for the Padres.

ATHLETICS 9, MARINERS 8. 10 INNINGS

SEATTLE (AP) — Joey Wendle hit a tiebreaking RBI double off Edwin Diaz in the top of the 10th inning, and Oakland ended Seattle’s playoff hopes.

Nelson Cruz’s comebacker with a man on in the bottom of the inning deflected off pitcher Ryan Madson (6-7) almost directly to first base, preventing Ben Gamel from scoring from second base.

Madson also escaped a bases-loaded situation in the ninth.

Seattle needed to win out to have a chance at an AL wild card.

Bruce Maxwell opened the 10th with a double off Diaz (0-4) and Wendle’s fourth hit of the night put Oakland in fron

BOSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez said he didn’t know — and didn’t care — that the Blue Jays had already clinched a spot in baseball’s postseason.

Toronto still had a chance to host the AL wild-card game, and Sanchez wanted the win.

“I wasn’t ready to go home,” he said after the Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 in the regular season finale on Sunday to claim the AL’s top wild-card berth. “For it to come down to (Game) 162, and me being out there … there was a lot at stake in that game. And it was in my hands.”

Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh, and Troy Tulowitzki singled to break an eighth-inning tie. Roberto Osuna retired David Ortiz on a weak nubber in front of the plate on the final regular season at-bat of his career, and then got Jackie Bradley Jr. on a groundout with two on to finish the game.

The Blue Jays had a muted celebration on the field, then popped champagne in the visitor’s clubhouse at Fenway Park.

“I’m (usually) straight-faced,” Tulowitzki said. “But that was fun out there.”

Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason when Detroit lost to Atlanta 1-0 earlier Sunday evening. With their win in Boston, the Blue Jays earned the right to host the Baltimore Orioles in a one-game playoff on Tuesday.

The Red Sox will start their AL Division Series against the Indians on Thursday in Cleveland.

“We’ve been able to win on the road and that’s where our playoff journey begins,” manager John Farrell said.

Pitching with Jose Fernandez’s initials on his hat in tribute to the Marlins pitcher who died last week, Sanchez held Boston hitless until Hanley Ramirez’s disputed home run with two outs in the seventh. The ball sailed over the foul pole above the Green Monster.

Sanchez tried to wave the ball foul and then yelled to the umpire, “No way!” But the replay upheld the original call.

“For me, it looked foul,” he said, but added that it didn’t matter as long as the Blue Jays won.

Xander Bogaerts followed with a single — the only other hit allowed by Sanchez, who lowered his ERA to 3.00 and clinched the AL title. In all, Sanchez (15-2) allowed one run, walking two, striking out six and hitting a batter.

“You have to give credit to Sanchez. He was (the) one today,” Ortiz said. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen him.”

The Blue Jays took the lead back in the eighth against Brad Ziegler (2-4) when Tulowitzki singled with runners on first and third. Toronto’s other run came on Devon Travis’ solo homer in the fifth.

Boston put runners on first and second with two out in the ninth, but Osuna retired Bradley to end the game for his 36th save.

ORIOLES 5, YANKEES 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Wieters homered from both sides of the plate and Kevin Gausman gave Baltimore a clutch pitching performance to snag a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.

Baltimore will play at AL East rival Toronto in the wild-card game Tuesday night for a chance to face AL West champion Texas in a best-of-five Division Series.

Zach Britton got five outs in a non-save situation and finished perfect in 47 save chances this year with a 0.54 ERA. Wieters drove in four runs and Gausman (9-12) was charged with two runs in 7 1/3 innings as the Orioles reached the postseason for the third time in five years.

Luis Cessa (4-4) got the loss.

BRAVES 1, TIGERS 0

ATLANTA (AP) — 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 that led Atlanta to victory in the last game at Turner Field.

While the Braves focused on sending their home of 20 years out in style before moving to a new suburban stadium in 2017, the Tigers hoped to extend this season with a victory.

They needed to win, hope that either Baltimore or Toronto lost, and then win a makeup game against Cleveland on Monday in order to force a tiebreaker for an AL wild card.

Instead, Detroit lost its second straight against the last-place Braves.

Teheran (7-10) lasted seven innings, giving up three hits and a walk. Jim Johnson, who agreed to a two-year contract before the game, worked the ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances.

Justin Verlander (16-9) allowed six hits in seven innings, walked one intentionally and struck out eight.

GIANTS 7, DODGERS 1

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — If it is an even-numbered year, San Francisco finds its way into the playoffs

San Francisco made it 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 of their rival.

Denard Span hit a two-run triple among his three hits, and Buster Posey drove in three runs and had three hits.

San Francisco, which won Series titles in 2010, ’12 and ’14, plays at the defending NL champion New York Mets on Wednesday night in the NL wild-card game, with the winner advancing to a Division Series against the Chicago Cubs. Madison Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, will face Noah Syndergaard.

Midseason acquisition Matt Moore (6-5) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings.

Kenta Maeda (16-11) surrendered five runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.

CUBS 7, REDS 4

CINCINNATI (AP) — Matt Szczur doubled home two runs with two outs in the ninth inning, and Miguel Montero followed with a homer as Chicago finished one of its most successful seasons with a flourish.

With victory No. 103 in the books, the Cubs headed back to Wrigley Field for their first playoff game on Friday against the winner of the NL wild-card game.

The Cubs led the majors with their most victories since 1910. That’s no longer the reference point, however. The postseason focus is 1908, the last time they won a World Series.

After Raisel Iglesias (3-2) retired the first two batters in the ninth, Chicago pulled ahead with a walk, a single and Szczur’s double.

Justin Grimm (2-1) retired the one batter he faced for the win. Carl Edwards Jr. got his second save.

INDIANS 3, ROYALS 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, Josh Tomlin dazzled in his final tuneup for the postseason and Cleveland beat Kansas City.

Tomlin (13-9) dueled with Ian Kennedy (11-11) into the eighth before the new AL Central champs pulled ahead.

Tomlin got the first batter in the eighth before Andrew Miller finished it up, and Cody Allen handled the ninth to earn his 32nd save and give the Indians (94-67) a nice boost heading into the playoffs.

NATIONALS 10, MARLINS 7

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer earned his 20th victory and drove in a career-high four runs to help Washington beat Miami.

Scherzer (20-7) allowed five runs in five innings while striking out seven. It was his second 20-win season, and he became the second pitcher to win 20 games for the Nationals since they moved to Washington.

Mark Melancon pitched the ninth to earn his 47th save in 51 chances.

The NL East champion Nationals, who will face Los Angeles in the Division Series, finished the regular season 95-67, a 12-game improvement in manager Dusty Baker’s first season.

Third baseman Martin Prado served as the Marlins’ manager, continuing a tradition actual manager Don Mattingly was a part of while working under Joe Torre in New York and Los Angeles and later when he managed the Dodgers.

Austin Brice (0-1) took the loss.

TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 3

CHICAGO (AP) — Byron Buxton hit the game’s first pitch for an inside-the-park home run and Minnesota beat Chris Sale in manager Robin Ventura’s final game with Chicago.

Ventura said after the game that leaving was “a personal decision.” He was in the last year of his contract.

Miguel Sano added a three-run homer off Sale (17-10), who allowed five runs and six hits over five innings.

Jose Berrios (3-7) allowed one run and four hits in five innings.

Brandon Kintzler got the final three outs for his 17th save in 20 tries.

RAYS 6, RANGERS 4, 10 INNINGS

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Alexei Ramirez had four hits, including a 10th-inning double before scoring, and Tampa Bay ended another losing season with a victory over AL West champion Texas.

The Rangers tied it in the ninth against closer Alex Colome, but the Rays then opened the 10th with three consecutive hits off Tanner Scheppers (1-1).

Erasmo Ramirez, the seventh Rays pitcher and 14th in the game, worked the 10th for his second save.

Colome (2-4) got the win.

While the Rangers (95-67) fell one win shy of matching the franchise record for victories, they had already clinched home-field advantage through the postseason. They will open the playoffs at home Thursday against the AL wild card winner, either Toronto or Baltimore.

PHILLIES 5, METS 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard’s farewell game with the Philadelphia Phillies ended with a win.

Cesar Hernandez hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, and Philadelphia beat playoff-bound New York.

Howard, the last player remaining from the 2008 World Series championship team, was honored in a pregame ceremony. The Phillies are planning to pay Howard a $10 million buyout instead of exercising a $23 million club option for 2017.

Colton Murray (1-1) pitched one inning in relief of Jerad Eickhoff to earn his first career win despite allowing a run. Hector Neris finished for his second save.

Erik Goeddel (2-2) took the loss.

CARDINALS 10, PIRATES 4

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A win on the final day of the season was not enough for the St. Louis Cardinals, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Matt Carpenter homered and Randal Grichuk keyed a six-run seventh-inning with a two-run double to lead the Cardinals.

But the Cardinals (86-76) were eliminated while still on the field when San Francisco (87-75) beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 and earned the second NL wild card.

Jonathan Broxton (4-2) won despite allowing two runs in one inning of relief.

Juan Nicasio (10-7) gave up three runs without recording an out in the seventh.

ATHLETICS 3, MARINERS 2

SEATTLE (AP) — Stephen Vogt hit his 14th home run in the first inning on the only pitch that he saw on the final day of the season and Oakland held on to beat Seattle.

Vogt drove the first pitch he got from Felix Hernandez just beyond the left-field wall to give the A’s an early lead.

Seattle appeared drained after seeing its postseason hopes dashed in Saturday’s extra-innings loss to the A’s. Hernandez (11-8) was lifted after the third inning and Guillermo Heredia’s two-run double in the fifth amounted to all of Seattle’s offense and the only real threat against Oakland starter Sean Manaea.

Manaea (7-9) threw six innings, allowing five hits and striking out five.

ANGELS 8, ASTROS 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout stole his 30th base and drove in his 100th run, and Los Angeles completed its worst season of the 21st century.

Trout wrapped up another MVP-caliber campaign stuck on 29 homers, but he got his milestone stolen base in the first inning and an RBI single in the sixth before leaving to a standing ovation.

Houston’s Brady Rodgers (0-1) gave up five hits and four runs in his first big league start for his hometown team.

Jhoulys Chacin (4-4) finished an inconsistent year with a dominant effort in his first victory since Aug. 21.

BREWERS 6, ROCKIES 4

DENVER (AP) — Andrew Susac hit his first homer of the season, a two-run drive in the 10th inning that lifted Milwaukee over Colorado.

After Orlando Arcia hustled for a two-out double, Susac followed with a liner to left off Chris Rusin (3-5).

Reliever Tyler Thornburg (8-5) won after blowing a lead for a second straight day. Corey Knebel pitched a perfect 10th for his second save.

DJ LeMahieu sat out Sunday to protect his lead in the batting title race. It worked as LeMahieu edged Washington’s Daniel Murphy by percentage points — .3478 to .3465.

DIAMODNBACKS 3, PADRES 2

PHOENIX (AP) — Pinch-hitter Phil Gosselin’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted Arizona over San Diego.

Tuffy Gosewich doubled against the Padres’ Brad Hand (4-4) after two fly outs, then was replaced by pinch-runner Socrates Brito. Gosselin lined his winning hit up the middle to end the game.

Daniel Hudson (3-2) earned the win.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Clayton Kershaw was hardly at his best.

Nothing new when it comes to October.

He allowed eight hits and three runs. He needed 101 pitches just to make it through five innings. His career postseason ERA even rose a bit, up to 4.65.

Didn’t matter a bit to the lefty. Only this did: He earned a rare playoff victory.

Backed by early homers from rookie sensation Corey Seager and Justin Turner off Max Scherzer in a matchup of Cy Young Award winners that promised more than it delivered, Kershaw helped the Los Angeles Dodgers edge the Washington Nationals 4-3 Friday in Game 1 of their NL Division Series.

“It was a grind. A lot of guys on base all the time. Definitely wasn’t easy,” Kershaw said. “As close as you can bend without breaking, I guess.”

His work done, Kershaw was able to relax in the dugout, chewing gum and blowing bubbles while watching relievers Joe Blanton, Grant Dayton, Pedro Baez and Kenley Jansen combine to give up one hit over four scoreless innings. Jansen got his first five-out save since April.

“Whatever we’ve got to do to win, right? Those guys are up to the challenge,” Seager said about LA’s bullpen. “And they’ve been up to it all year.”

Game 2 in the best-of-five matchup is Saturday at Washington.

Facing the NL East champs, Kershaw’s three runs might not sound like an exorbitant total, but an opponent scored that many only once in the lefty’s preceding 16 starts. And there was a stop-and-start feel to the evening, because of plenty of boo-inducing mound visits from catcher Yasmani Grandal.

“I wanted to be sure on the signs. We were trying to change ’em up pretty often,” said Kershaw, who improved to 3-6 in the playoffs , a far cry from his regular-season record of 126-60 with a 2.37 ERA and three Cy Young Awards. “It was mainly that I had so many guys on second base.”

Certainly did.

Kershaw left the bases loaded in the second, and stranded two runners in both the third and fifth — striking out Danny Espinosa along the way each time.

“We had him on the ropes a couple times,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said, “and, you know, the big hit just escaped us.”

There was also a baserunning blunder by NL MVP contender Daniel Murphy in the seventh inning.

Murphy, who hadn’t started a game since Sept. 17 because of a strained glute muscle, reached when Baez walked him, but then was thrown out trying to steal second. Baker said it was Murphy’s decision to run there and acknowledged being surprised by the attempt.

“There’s two choices on that,” Murphy said. “Either be safe or don’t run.”

In all, Washington went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

That meant the Nationals repeatedly let Kershaw off the hook. He sat out more than two months with a bad back before returning to the NL West winners in September and hadn’t thrown more than 91 pitches since coming back.

So what if he struggled?

“It feels good to win, and it feels good to win in this situation,” Kershaw said. “If I had pitched seven shutout innings and we lost, it’s a different feeling. At this time of year, you kind of just throw the stats out the window and you just win the game.”

He was staked to a 4-0 lead thanks mainly to Seager and Turner, before slowly giving back most of that margin.

Kershaw allowed only one stolen base during 149 innings in the regular season, then allowed two on a single pitch in the third, when Bryce Harper (who had doubled) and Jayson Werth (who had walked) moved up. That became big when Anthony Rendon ripped a single to left field on a slider that didn’t really slide, bringing both runners home and getting Washington to 4-2.

Trea Turner’s sacrifice fly in the fourth cut LA’s lead to a run.

Like Washington’s Turner, LA’s Seager is a rookie who has not played like one all year long.

On the first pitch he saw from Scherzer, Seager turned on a 97 mph fastball and hit it to the deepest part of Nationals Park, beyond the 402-foot sign in center field, for a 1-0 lead.

Scherzer plunked the next batter, Justin Turner, on the left arm. For whatever reason, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner for Detroit — and a 20-game winner who’s a leading contender for the NL honor this year — never truly settled in.

The Dodgers made it 4-0 in the third on Chase Utley’s RBI single, then Justin Turner’s two-run shot on a 77 mph curveball. The ball sailed over the head of Werth, who jumped in vain to try to make a grab, then slammed his glove against the left-field wall.

Homers have been Scherzer’s biggest problem the past two seasons: He allowed 27 in 2015, and a major league-high 31 in 2016.

“I made some mistakes, and they cost me,” Scherzer said. “I take ownership of that, and I’m accountable for that.”

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Rangers seemed to have everything lined up perfectly going into the postseason, with their two aces ready to go at home for the start of the AL Division Series.

Instead, the AL West champions are headed to Toronto facing the possibility of getting swept in the best-of-five matchup after Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish both struggled.

“We’ve got a good team. We all believe in each other,” All-Star center fielder Ian Desmond said. “Just keep on fighting.”

Darvish allowed a career-worst four homers, three in the same inning , and Texas lost 5-3 on a dreary, misty Friday afternoon in Texas.

That came a day after All-Star lefty Hamels, the MVP of the World Series and NLCS for Philadelphia in 2008, allowed seven runs in 3 1-3 innings in his worst-ever postseason start in a series-opening 10-1 romp by the wild-card Blue Jays.

But the Rangers also remember what happened last October, when Toronto lost the first two games of the ALDS at home before rallying to win the series.

“Why can’t we do it this year, too? You never know until the last out,” shortstop Elvis Andrus said. “We still believe that we can win this series.”

Game 3 is Sunday night.

“We’re up against it. We’ve got to win three in a row,” second-year Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “We’ve got to start with one.”

Kevin Pillar, Ezequiel Carrera and Edwin Encarnacion, who ended the AL wild-card game with a three-run homer in the 11th inning, hit solo homers in a five-batter span in the fifth to go up 5-0. Troy Tulowitzki’s two-run drive in the second put 20-game winner J.A. Happ and the Blue Jays ahead to stay.

“I was struggling with the strike zone and then was getting behind in the count and they were looking for the fastballs,” Darvish said through his interpreter. “And when I left it on the plate, they got it.”

It was only Darvish’s second postseason appearance in his five seasons with the Rangers after coming from Japan. The right-hander lost the 2012 AL wild-card game to Baltimore, and missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery.

Darvish had as many strikeouts (four) in his five innings as homers allowed, becoming the first pitcher in the postseason to allow four homers in a game since Minnesota’s Rick Reed against Oakland in Game 3 of the 2002 ALDS. He stared upward in disbelief after the balls landed in the seats.

Texas outhit the Blue Jays 13-6 and had multiple runners on base against Happ in each of the first four innings. The only time they scored off the lefty was on Ian Desmond’s RBI single in the fourth.

The Rangers have lost five straight ALDS games to Toronto since winning the first two games in Toronto last October. Texas dropped to 1-11 in ALDS games in its home ballpark.

Texas scored twice in the eighth, including Carlos Gomez’s single that struck Francisco Liriano near the back of the head. The pitcher walked off the mound, and an ambulance was waiting after the game. But he was cleared to fly home with the Blue Jays that evening after being checked out at a hospital.

The ball off Gomez’s bat was measured at 102 mph, and Liriano turned away just in time to avoid being hit in the face.

“It’s tough to see that, but it’s part of the game,” Gomez said.

Roberto Osuna, the 21-year-old closer, then came on to get the final five outs, the first when Desmond greeted him with an RBI grounder. Adrian Beltre had a leadoff double in the ninth, but got stranded there.

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Talk about a 1-2-3 punch for the Toronto Blue Jays in these playoffs.

The wild-card Blue Jays have rediscovered their power stroke in October, and are going home with a chance to sweep the Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series after a 5-3 win Friday.

Edwin Encarnacion capped a three-homer burst in the fifth inning off Yu Darvish, and Toronto won on a dreary, misty afternoon for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup.

One important reminder, though: Last fall, Toronto lost the first two games of the ALDS at home against Texas, then rallied to win the series.

“I learned something last year … you got to win three games,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “They’ve got a great team over there. You don’t lead the American League, powerhouse league, you don’t luck into that.”

Wearing spikes that had “No Panic” printed on them, closer Roberto Osuna got a five-out save that sent the Blue Jays home looking to clinch the series in Game 3 Sunday night.

Osuna entered after reliever Francisco Liriano was hit near the back of the head by Carlos Gomez’s line drive. Liriano was taken by ambulance after the game to a hospital, where he was checked out and then cleared to fly home with the team that evening. It was Osuna’s first appearance since he left the mound in the AL wild-card win Tuesday night with a shoulder injury that left his status in doubt.

Kevin Pillar, Ezequiel Carrera and Encarnacion, who ended the wild-card game with a three-run homer in the 11th inning, hit solo homers in a five-batter span in the fifth. Troy Tulowitzki’s two-run drive in the second put 20-game winner J.A. Happ and the Blue Jays ahead to stay.

“Getting behind in the count, and they were looking for fastballs,” Darvish said through his interpreter. “When I left it on the plate, they got it.”

Texas scored twice in the eighth, including Gomez’s single that struck Liriano. The pitcher walked off the mound.

A day after Cleveland homered three times in an inning against Boston and won its ALDS opener, the Blue Jays matched the feat against the team that won an AL-high 95 games this year. The home runs boosted the Blue Jays in a game in which they got outhit 13-6.

While Toronto finished the regular season fourth in the majors with 221 homers, only eight came in the last 11 games. They already have eight in three postseason games.

“Home runs are always a good thing,” Gibbons said.

Darvish had as many strikeouts (four) in his five innings as homers allowed, becoming the first pitcher in the postseason to allow four homers in a game since Minnesota’s Rick Reed against Oakland in Game 3 of the 2002 ALDS.

Texas has lost five straight ALDS games to the Blue Jays since winning the first two games in Toronto last October. The Rangers dropped to 1-11 in ALDS games in their home ballpark, including Cole Hamels’ worst postseason outing in the 10-1 series-opening loss Thursday.

“We’ve come back from a lot this year. … We all believe in each other,” said Texas outfielder Ian Desmond, who drove in two runs but was also thrown out trying to score on a grounder.

Happ allowed nine hits but only run before leaving one batter into the sixth.

“You go into a game knowing that at some point they’re going to get their hits,” Happ said. “But yeah, it was a battle. It seemed like a long five innings.”

Osuna, who afterward said he felt no pain, came in a little earlier than planned, a move that followed Liriano getting struck.

The ball off Gomez’s bat was measured at 102 mph, and Liriano turned away just in time to avoid being hit in the face. Gomez winced as the ball caromed into right-center field for a single to make it 5-2.

Desmond drove in a run with a grounder before Osuna struck out Carlos Beltran to end the eighth.

Adrian Beltre was stranded at second after a leadoff double in the ninth.

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CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester gave the Chicago Cubs a chance, Javier Baez supplied the power and Aroldis Chapman finished the job.

A positive playoff opener for a city draped in “W” flags and hoping for a historic championship.

Lester outpitched Johnny Cueto with eight sparkling innings, Baez homered in the eighth and Chicago beat the San Francisco Giants 1-0 in a tense Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Friday night.

Lester retired his last 13 batters in a dominant performance, but the game was scoreless when Baez sent a towering drive into a stiff wind. With a raucous crowd of 42,148 and every player anxiously tracking the flight of the ball, left fielder Angel Pagan ran out of room as it landed in the basket that tops the ivy-covered walls at Wrigley Field.

Baez thought it was surely gone as soon as the ball left the bat.

“I forgot about the wind,” he said. “The wind’s blowing straight in, and I hit it really good. Good thing it just barely went.”

Chicago’s relievers in the bullpen in foul territory down the left-field line broke into cheers as Baez rounded the bases with the delirious crowd in a frenzy. Baez then came out of the dugout for a curtain call.

“Just waiting for him to make a mistake and he finally did,” Baez said.

Chapman allowed Buster Posey’s two-out double off the ivy in the ninth before Hunter Pence bounced to second for the final out, wrapping a bow on Chicago’s first meaningful game in weeks.

Lester’s $155 million, six-year deal in December 2014 was a key moment in the Cubs’ turnaround from also-ran to contender. They clinched the NL Central title on Sept. 15 and led the majors with 103 wins this year, but have their sights set on the franchise’s first World Series crown since 1908.

“I kind of figured as we got going it would come down to one mistake and luckily we didn’t make one and they did,” Lester said. “And I think that’s just kind of the beginning of the series.”

Game 2 is Saturday night.

Cueto was outstanding, following up Madison Bumgarner’s four-hitter in San Francisco’s wild-card win at New York with his own gem. The right-hander, deftly varying his delivery to keep the Cubs off balance, struck out 10 and allowed three hits in his second straight complete game in the postseason.

“We both were pitching a great ballgame and obviously we knew — we were aware that one run was going to decide the game,” Cueto said through a translator.

Baez’s homer stopped San Francisco’s postseason scoreless streak at 23 innings dating to the World Series in 2014. The Giants also won it all in 2010 and 2012, leading to talk of even-year magic for manager Bruce Bochy’s club, but it was the Cubs with the good fortune in the series opener, a strange turn of events for the usually snake-bitten franchise.

The Giants had at least one hit in each of the first four innings, including leadoff singles in the first three, but Lester held them off each time. The left-hander got some help from his usual catcher, with David Ross throwing out Gorkys Hernandez trying to steal second in the first and picking off wild-card hero Conor Gillaspie at first in the third.

San Francisco had runners on second and third after left fielder Ben Zobrist misplayed Pagan’s sinking liner into a fourth-inning double, but Brandon Crawford bounced out to end the inning.

“We had a couple chances there. We just couldn’t get the key hit,” Bochy said.

Cueto retired his first 10 batters and had the Cubs shaking their heads all night long. He also got some timely help from his defense.

Hernandez got revenge on Ross with an outstanding, sliding catch on the warning track in left-center in the third. Kelby Tomlinson, starting at second in place of Joe Panik with the lefty Lester on the mound, robbed Zobrist of a two-out RBI single in the fourth, then took a hit away from Anthony Rizzo with another diving stop in the seventh.

CHICAGO (AP) — Best in the majors during the regular season, the Chicago Cubs are one win from reaching the NL Championship Series for the second straight year.

Travis Wood took over when starter Kyle Hendricks got hurt and became the first relief pitcher since 1924 to hit a postseason home run , helping the Cubs beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2 Saturday night for 2-0 NL Division Series lead.

Madison Bumgarner, coming off a four-hit shutout of the New York Mets in the NL wild card game, tries to save the Giants’ season when the series resumes Monday in San Francisco.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon remains wary of the Giants, World Series champions in 2010, ’12 and ’14.

“You watch how they react to different moments,” Maddon said . “They’re never panicked. They’re never concerned. … I really believe our guys will come ready to play knowing that they are also. That’s just a given.”

The Cubs, who start reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, are now one win from a matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers or Washington Nationals. Swept by the New York Mets in last year’s NLCS, Chicago led the big leagues with 103 wins during the regular season and is hoping for its first World Series title since 1908.

Ben Zobrist hit a run-scoring single off former Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija in the first, and Hendricks added a two-run, bloop single in a three-run second.

The Cubs were leading 4-2 in the fourth when Hendricks left the game after with a bruised right forearm after being hit by Angel Pagan’s line drive.

Wood struck out Conor Gillaspie to strand Pagan, then sent a one-out offering from George Kontos halfway up the left-field bleachers in the bottom half. The only other reliever to homer in the postseason was the New York Giants’ Rosy Ryan in Game 3 of the 1924 World Series.

Given a curtain call by a screaming crowd of 42,392, Wood joined Rick Sutcliffe (1984) and Kerry Wood (2003) as the only Cubs pitchers to go deep in the postseason. Travis Wood has nine regular-season homers in his big league career.

Wood pitched a hitless fifth and was credited with the win. Four more relievers completed Chicago’s second straight six-hitter, with Aroldis Chapman throwing 12 of 16 pitches at 100 mph and up for his second consecutive save.

Hendricks, the major league ERA leader, gave up two runs and four hits in 3 2/3 innings.

“We picked him up tonight, having his injury and stuff and that’s what we have done all year long,” Wood said. “We pull on each other and end up backing each other up.”

Samardzija’s first career playoff start was a short one. The right-hander, who spent his first 61/2 seasons with the Cubs, was pinch hit for in the third after allowing four runs and six hits.

Down 4-0, San Francisco scored two in the third when Gregor Blanco doubled in a run and scored on Brandon Belt ‘s sacrifice fly.

“Just can’t put your team in that much of a hole early in the game, especially against a good staff like they have over there,” Samardzija said. “Like to have that one back, for sure, that one’s on me.”

TORONTO (AP) — Josh Donaldson’s mad dash moved the Blue Jays into the next round of the playoffs.

Donaldson raced home from second base after Rougned Odor bounced a double-play relay in the 10th inning and Toronto beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Sunday night to sweep their AL Division Series.

Donaldson, the reigning AL MVP, led off the 10th with a double into the right-center field gap and Matt Bush intentionally walked Edwin Encarnacion.

After Jose Bautista struck out, Russell Martin hit a grounder to shortstop Elvis Andrus, who tried to start a double play with a feed to second base. After making the turn, second baseman Odor short-hopped his throw to first baseman Mitch Moreland and the ball skipped away, allowing Donaldson to sprint home and beat Moreland’s throw with a dive across the plate.

“I was at third base when the throw was being made,” Donaldson said. “Once I saw (Moreland) miss the pick, I felt like I had to take a chance right there.”

The wild-card Blue Jays are headed back to the AL Championship Series after beating Texas in an ALDS for a second straight year and will face the winner of the Cleveland-Boston series. The Indians lead 2-0, with Game 3 scheduled for Monday following a postponement Sunday.

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro, who spent 24 years with Cleveland before joining Toronto last fall, said he’d already reached out to one former Indians colleague about a potential ALCS meeting.

“It’s something I’ve tried not to think about,” Shapiro said, “but I texted (Indians GM) Chris Antonetti a two-word text about 10 minutes ago: Your turn.”

Toronto’s bench emptied and swarmed around Donaldson near home plate after his dramatic dash, while Bush kneeled in the infield and watched the celebration. The umpires huddled to review the play at second base, but after a brief delay, the crowd of 49,555 went wild as crew chief Joe West signaled the run counted.

“You’re like ‘Oh gosh, let’s not have a technicality ruin this moment for us right here,'” Martin said. “It was a little bit of a buzzkill at the time.”

Donaldson had two doubles among his three hits and is batting .538 through four postseason games, all wins for the Blue Jays, who had to beat Baltimore in a wild-card game to get to the ALDS.

“We definitely feel good about where we’re at,” Donaldson said. “We’re pitching well, we’re playing good defense and right now we’ve been able to hit the homer. That’s a big positive for our offense.”

The Blue Jays now get four days off before the ALCS begins Friday, and they’re happy to get it.

“Some people like to say a couple of days off might throw our timing off,” Martin said. “I really don’t believe in that. At this point in the year, a couple of days off can do wonders.”

Bautista’s homer and emphatic bat flip in Game 5 was the lasting image from Toronto’s ALDS win over the Rangers last season. On May 15, Odor famously punched Bautista to spark a brawl in Texas, and the broadcast of Sunday’s game showed a fan-made sign declaring “I would rather get punched in May than get knocked out in October.”

Bush had thrown two scoreless innings in relief prior to beginning the 10th. It was the longest career outing for the 30-year-old rookie, who was crucial in the bullpen while Texas finished with the AL’s best record.

Closer Roberto Osuna threw two perfect innings to get the win. His appearance capped 4 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball by Toronto’s bullpen after starter Aaron Sanchez allowed six runs.

Encarnacion had a two-run homer and Martin a solo shot in the first inning for Toronto, which swept a postseason series for the first time.

“Unfortunately we didn’t click at the right time,” Andrus said. “They hit the ball well and never let us feel comfortable.”

Andrus hit a solo homer in the third and Odor added a two-run shot in the fourth. They were the only two homers of the series for Texas.

“We got cold at the worst moment,” Rangers slugger Adrian Beltre said.

Moreland gave Texas a 6-5 lead with a two-run double off Joe Biagini in the sixth, but Toronto responded in the bottom half when Troy Tulowitzki scored on Jonathan Lucroy’s bases-loaded passed ball.

Colby Lewis allowed five runs in two innings for Texas.

Texas has lost six straight postseason games, all to Toronto. The Rangers hadn’t lost on a game-ending play since June 30 against the Yankees.

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Washington Nationals’ Jose Lobaton, left, connects for a three-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill during the fourth inning in Game 2 of baseball’s National League Division Series at Nationals Park, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Washington. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Lobaton’s HR, Murphy’s RBIs lift Nats past LA 5-2; NLDS tied

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leave it to little-used, light-hitting Jose Lobaton to change the complexion of the Washington Nationals’ NL Division Series with one big swing.

Getting a rare chance to play because of starting catcher Wilson Ramos’ late-September injury, backup Lobaton hit a three-run homer through a strong wind to erase an early deficit Sunday. Daniel Murphy provided more-expected production with two RBIs, and Washington’s bullpen threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, leading the Nationals past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 in a rain-postponed Game 2 to even the series at 1-all.

“I’ve got to try to do something for the team,” said Lobaton, who had one hit off a left-handed pitcher all season before connecting with a curveball that stayed up from LA lefty Rich Hill with two outs in the fourth inning.

“And I’m not saying that I’m going to be like Willy and hit a homer and hit .300. Play hard every day, no matter who is in and who is not,” he said.

After dropping Game 1, the Nationals trailed 2-0 when Hill allowed No. 8 hitter Lobaton to put the hosts ahead for good.

“One bad pitch to a guy that I don’t think anybody really thought was going to be that guy to hurt us,” said Josh Reddick, who drove in a run for LA in the third off Tanner Roark after Corey Seager hit his second first-inning homer of the NLDS. “But that’s what happens, and anybody can be the guy in the postseason.”

Hard to imagine Lobaton would be The Guy, though.

Didn’t even start the playoff opener, sitting behind rookie Pedro Severino, who had played all of 18 games in the majors.

Plus, Lobaton batted only .232 in 99 at-bats in 2016 overall, although his lone hit in 15 at-bats against left-handers coming into Sunday was also a homer, and also against the Dodgers — off Scott Kazmir in July.

This one put the Nationals ahead 3-2, finally getting to Hill — who went 4 1/3 innings — in the unlikeliest of ways. After a walk and two quick outs, he plunked Danny Espinosa for the second time; Washington’s shortstop has struck out in his other five NLDS plate appearances.

That mistake proved costly when Lobaton came through, leading to chants of “N-A-T-S! Nats, Nats, Nats, Woooo!” from a sellout crowd of 43,826.

What made this big bop all the more surprising was that it went over the wall in left, where wind that topped 30 mph was blowing in much of the afternoon.

“When he hit it, there was a bunch of people in the dugout who were, like, cussing, because we didn’t think he could get it out. All kinds of expletives were being thrown around,” Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth said. “And then it snuck over for us. That was the game, right there.”

Nationals slugger Bryce Harper’s take?

“If Mother Nature wanted to keep it in the yard, then I guess she would have,” the 2015 NL MVP said, “but the baseball gods overran her, I guess.”

Murphy has been Washington’s best hitter all season, considered a top contender for league MVP honors this year. Indeed, fans chanted those three letters after each hit as he went 3 for 3, including RBI singles in the fifth and seventh.

Five relievers made it stand up, with Mark Melancon working around a single in the ninth — the lone hit allowed by Washington’s relievers — to earn the save.

Blake Treinen went 1 1/3 innings and got the win, while lefties Marc Rzepczynski, Sammy Solis and Oliver Perez combined for seven outs as manager Dusty Baker mixed and matched his ‘pen just right.

“The old man knows what he’s doing, I think,” Werth said with a smile.

And after the NL East champion Nationals wasted plenty of opportunities to score in a 4-3 loss on Friday, it was the NL West-winning Dodgers’ turn to come up short in the clutch: Los Angeles left the bases loaded three times.

In the fifth, pinch hitter Howie Kendrick sent a sinking liner to left that Werth managed to grab while sliding — then celebrated by popping up and throwing an uppercut.

“The wind pretty much had an effect on every ball that was hit out there,” Werth said. “That was ball was diving, knuckling, doing all kind of stuff. Part of why I was so excited was because I was surprised I caught it.”

The best-of-five series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Monday afternoon, with Game 4 there on Tuesday, creating an unusual three-consecutive-days setup in the playoffs, thanks to the loss of a travel day.

“This was pretty much a must-win game for us,” Werth said. “Definitely don’t want to head West down two.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jayson Werth always wanted to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium when he played two seasons in the venerable ballpark. His latest attempt came close with a 450-foot blast into the upper reaches of the left-field pavilion.

Werth’s homer helped break open a one-run game in the ninth inning, moving the Washington Nationals within one victory of taking a postseason series for the first time with an 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday and a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five NL playoff.

Heck, he even tied Babe Ruth with his 15th career postseason homer, good for 11th all-time.

“Ever since Dusty (Baker) moved me into the two-hole, I just felt like my job is to get on base for the animals behind me,” said Werth, whose three hits tied a postseason career high.

Four relievers combined for 4 2/3 shutout innings, putting the Nationals in position to wrap up the NL Division Series on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

“They work quick and they’re not afraid to go after anybody,” said third baseman Anthony Rendon, who hit a two-run homer in a four-run third that chased Kenta Maeda.

Werth added, “It gives us confidence. I feel like the bullpen is going to hold up and that might not have been the case or the feeling in years past.”

NL East champions for the third time in five years, the Nats were unable to advance during their two previous trips to the postseason. They lost in the Division Series to St. Louis in 2012 and San Francisco in 2014.

“I’m hoping this is our year,” Werth said. “We’re battle-tested, we’re playoff-tested, and we’ve got a good group of guys. We’ve been playing together a long time now, so I feel like this is our opportunity.”

Now 37 and with his 2008 World Series championship in Philadelphia long behind him, Werth senses time encroaching on him.

“Obviously, I can’t play this game forever,” he said. “So I feel like this is our chance and I also feel like maybe this is my last chance to do it.”

The franchise has won one playoff series — the Montreal Expos beat Philadelphia following the strike-shortened 1981 season before losing to the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.

The team moved from Montreal to Washington before the 2005 season.

Playing 23 hours after the Nationals tied the series at home in a rain-postponed Game 2, the Dodgers again struggled against left-handed pitching, a problem throughout the season when they had a major league-worst .213 average against lefties.

Four Washington lefty relievers stymied the Dodgers in the first two games. Facing lefty starter Gio Gonzalez in Game 3, they got three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.

The only Dodgers hitter with proven success against Gonzalez was catcher Carlos Ruiz, and he came through with a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the fifth that cut their deficit to 4-3.

“I made one bad pitch, but the bullpen was incredible,” Gonzalez said. “It’s tough to go on the road and win in the playoffs. I went after them but I wish I had that one pitch back.”

After that, the Dodgers mustered just a pair of singles off a Nats’ bullpen that included lefties Sammy Solis and Oliver Perez, and didn’t advance a runner past first base. Solis wound up with the win.

Now, the four-time defending NL West champions are facing elimination.

“We’re not afraid of this,” rookie manager Dave Roberts said. “There’s no quit in our guys. We’ll be ready tomorrow to win a baseball game, I can promise you that.”

It was still 4-3 when Werth homered on a 1-0 pitch from All-Star closer Kenley Jansen leading off the ninth.

Ryan Zimmerman added a two-run double that bounced off right fielder Josh Reddick’s glove at the wall — the hit scored Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper, who both walked.

Jansen, the team’s all-time saves leader, was yanked. Los Angeles used all seven of its relievers in the game.

Maeda gave up four runs and five hits in three innings. The Japanese right-hander who won a team-leading 16 games is one of seven rookies on the Dodgers’ NLDS roster.

“Kenta was missing and getting behind,” Roberts said. “His fastball leaked back behind the plate and they made him pay. It was a good game until the ninth. That’s baseball.”

Maeda retired the side in the second, striking out two, before wilting in the third. He opened the inning by giving up four hits in five batters.

Werth’s RBI double in the right-field corner tied the game 1-all. Harper hit an RBI single and Rendon followed with his two-run shot to the left-field pavilion for a 4-1 lead.

Dodgers rookie Corey Seager continued his first-inning success in the series, hitting an RBI double off the wall for a 1-0 lead after homering in the first inning of Games 1 and 2.

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Arrieta’s early 3-run homer doesn’t hold, Cubs lose Game 3

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jake Arrieta had so boldly proclaimed October ace Madison Bumgarner could be beaten, and the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner nearly made it happen with his bat and that big right arm.

Arrieta hit a three-run homer in the second inning that held up for most of the night, but the game was decided by the bullpens hours later, and the Chicago Cubs will have to wait another day to try to earn their spot in the NL Championship Series.

Joe Panik doubled off the wall in right-center field to drive in Brandon Crawford with the winning run in the 13th inning, and the Giants staved off elimination again by outlasting the Cubs 6-5 on Monday in Game 3 of their NL Division Series.

The wild-card Giants forced Tuesday night’s Game 4 back at their raucous, sold-out ballpark, postponing a potential Cubs clinch party. Chicago leads the best-of-five playoff 2-1 and will send John Lackey to the mound opposite lefty Matt Moore.

“We played it hard, we played it right — and they beat us,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Panik came through on the 57th pitch from Mike Montgomery, who was working his fifth inning of relief. Brandon Crawford hit a leadoff double on an 0-2 curveball.

“It’s definitely disappointing the way it ended, but I think we’ll come back tomorrow ready to go,” Montgomery said.

San Francisco won its 10th straight game when facing postseason elimination. The Giants are trying to extend their pattern of even-year championships after winning the World Series in 2010, ’12 and ’14.

Panik’s big hit ended a 5-hour, 4-minute game that was only 29 minutes shy of the total time it took to play the first two series games combined last week at Wrigley Field.

“We just have to have a short memory, forget about it. It’s over, just go out there tomorrow and get the victory,” Cubs catcher Miguel Montero said. “It’s not easy. It’s a tough pill to swallow.”

Rookie left-hander Ty Blach was the winner, escaping a 13th-inning jam when pinch-hitter David Ross bounced into a double play.

Kris Bryant hit a tying, two-run homer off Giants closer Sergio Romo in the ninth after San Francisco rallied for three runs to take the lead in the eighth against Aroldis Chapman.

Bryant’s drive hit the top of the left-field fence and bounced into the seats, silencing the orange towel-swirling sellout crowd. The slugger received a warm hug of congratulations in the dugout from Chapman, who had just given up the lead.

With Bumgarner’s remarkable postseason scoreless streak at 24 innings, Arrieta drove a 1-2 pitch into the left-field bleachers in the second inning — and, as a bonus, a man in a blue Cubs cap caught it and jumped for joy at his good fortune.

Arrieta’s mouth hung wide open as he rounded the bases, pumping his pitching arm.

It was Arrieta’s fifth career home run, and the first Bumgarner had given up to a pitcher in his seven-year big league career.

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Indians top Ortiz, Red Sox 4-3, complete sweep, reach ALCS

BOSTON (AP) — The ball settled into the right fielder’s glove, the Cleveland Indians poured onto the diamond and the Fenway fans fell silent.

Then, slowly from the crowd rose a chant of “Pa-pi!”

Cleveland swept the Red Sox out of the postseason and sent David Ortiz into retirement on Monday night with a 4-3 victory that completed a three-game AL Division Series sweep. But even as the Indians frolicked on the field in their celebratory hats and T-shirts, Boston fans weren’t ready to let their beloved Big Papi go.

“I’m glad he didn’t get a hit to beat us,” manager Terry Francona said after leading the Indians to just the second postseason sweep in franchise history. “I thought it was an honor to be on the field, competing against him in his last game, because he’s truly one of the best. You could tell the way people were hanging around yelling his name and everything. He deserves every bit of that.”

Coco Crisp hit a two-run homer , closer Cody Allen got four outs and the Indians advanced the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2007. That year, they took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against Boston before losing three in a row.

Cleveland also blew a 2-0 lead against Boston in the best-of-five round in 1999.

But this year there would be no fold.

Perhaps inspired by the Cavaliers’ NBA title — the city’s first pro sports championship since 1964 — the Indians shut down Ortiz and the most prolific offense in the league. Rookie Tyler Naquin delivered a two-run single and Josh Tomlin pitched five strong innings for the Indians, who will open the ALCS at home against Toronto on Friday.

Cleveland went 4-3 this year against the wild-card Blue Jays, who swept AL West champion Texas to reach the ALCS for the second straight year.

“Nobody in this clubhouse doubts what we’re what capable of,” reliever Andrew Miller said as music blared and corks popped in the visitors’ clubhouse. “I think we saw in our games in Cleveland how much support we have. It’s a special place to be. I think we have bigger things ahead of us, but it’s not going to be any easier.”

To advance, the Indians had to shut down the most prolific offense in the major leagues and weather the emotional farewell to Ortiz . The Red Sox designated hitter went 1 for 9 in the series, collecting a sacrifice fly in Game 3 before walking on four pitches in his final plate appearance .

Ortiz was lifted for a pinch runner in the eighth and left to a standing ovation.

But that wasn’t enough for the crowd of 39,530 — the largest at Fenway since at least World War II. Chanting “We’re not leaving!” and “Thank you, Pa-pi!” for more than 10 minutes while the Indians celebrated their victory, the crowd finally drew the beloved slugger back onto the field.

Wearing a red warmup and a scowl on his face, Ortiz lumbered out to the mound and tipped his cap in all directions, tapping his heart. Only when the camera zoomed in on him did it become apparent that the frown was not regret over an early postseason exit: Big Papi was crying.

“Tonight when I walked to the mound, I realized that it was over. It was pretty much probably the last time as a player to walk in front of a crowd,” Ortiz told reporters afterward. “And the emotion came back out again.”

After two minutes, Ortiz retired to the dugout and retired for good, ending to a career that brought three World Series titles to Boston and transformed the once-futile franchise into winners.

“I’m happy, not just for me, not just how my career went down, but for the organization, the step that we took, from going from last place to win the division this year,” he told reporters. “Even if things didn’t end up the way we were looking for … it’s like going from bad to good, from day to night.”

Making it their goal to send their beloved Big Papi out as a winner, the Red Sox managed to win the AL East — the second time in four seasons they went from worst to first.

Boston raised fans’ hopes with an 11-game winning streak in September but then lost eight of its last nine games, including the playoffs. After winning the first two games in the best-of-five AL Division Series, and then waiting an extra day because of Sunday’s rainout, the Indians it took a 2-0 lead off Clay Buchholz in the fourth inning on Naquin’s single.

Tomlin gave up Andrew Benintendi’s Green Monster-scraping RBI double in the fifth, which gave some life to the Fenway crowd.

But with one run in, one out, one on and the fans taunting the Indians starter — “Tom-lin! Tom-lin!” — he struck out Sandy Leon on a pitch in the dirt and then Jackie Bradley Jr. grounded out to first. In the sixth, Crisp hit a two-run homer over the left-field wall to make it 4-1.

Buchholz allowed two runs and six hits in four innings, joining David Price and Rick Porcello as postseason losers.

Tomlin allowed two runs on four in five-plus innings. Miller pitched two innings , Bryan Shaw got two outs and Allen came on to face Ortiz with two out and a man on first in the eighth.

After walking on four pitches , Ortiz stood on first and waved his arms at the mostly dormant crowd. The fans rose to cheer for him and stayed there as Hanley Ramirez singled to make it 4-3.

Now representing the tying run at second, Ortiz was lifted for pinch-runner Marco Hernandez, leaving the field to a raucous cheer. But even after coming out of the game, his work wasn’t done: With one foot on the top step of the dugout, he continued to cheer the team on.

Xander Bogaerts hit a hard line drive to second and Ortiz jumped onto the dirt, only to turn around and walk dejectedly back into the dugout when it was caught for the last out.

In the ninth, Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with two out and Dustin Pedroia drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch. Travis Shaw worked the count full before popping up to end it.

“I was cheering so bad,” Ortiz said. “Once I got out of the game I was screaming at my team to put me back in it. Make me wear this uniform one more day. Because I wasn’t ready to be over with the playoff.”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kris Bryant tossed his glove high in the air, Jake Arrieta jumped over the dugout railing and the rest of the Chicago Cubs rushed to join the celebration.

Pure revelry and a sigh of relief, all at once.

World Series favorites since opening day, the Cubs took another step in their championship chase Tuesday night by rallying for four runs in the ninth inning of Game 4 to beat San Francisco 6-5 and win their NL Division Series.

“You could see it coming. You could see little signs. We’ve done it before and the guys, we don’t quit,” Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler said. “It’s a little more special doing it here. They for sure were thinking that they won it. But we play 27 outs and we don’t give up until we win.”

Javier Baez’s tiebreaking single capped the comeback against a beleaguered bullpen that sabotaged the Giants one last time.

Four wins from their first pennant since 1945, the Cubs will open the NL Championship Series at Wrigley Field on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Washington Nationals. That matchup is tied 2-all heading into the deciding Game 5 on Thursday.

Before that, the team with the best regular-season record (103-58) in the majors this year will get a few days of rest. Chicago was swept by the New York Mets in the NLCS last year and is still seeking its first World Series title since 1908.

“Expectations is a good word. Because normally it means that you have something good attached to it at the other side,” manager Joe Maddon said.

And after finishing off the resilient Giants, the Cubs should have their rotation all lined up for the NLCS.

“Pressure, expectations — I want our guys to thrive on those two words for the years to come. I want the organization to. In the end that means there’s a lot expected of you. Good. There should be. We should all have a lot expected of us,” Maddon added. “So all those things I want to have us channel in a positive direction.”

Held to two hits over eight innings by Matt Moore, the Cubs trailed 5-2 heading to the ninth.

No matter. One big rally ended San Francisco’s 10-game winning streak when facing postseason elimination.

Pinch-hitter Willson Contreras tied it with a two-run single with none out. Baez singled in the go-ahead run two batters later, and the Cubs capitalized on Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford’s second costly error and more untimely blunders by the Giants’ once-reliable relief staff.

One day after getting tagged in the eighth inning, Aroldis Chapman closed this one out by striking out the side in order. When he set down Brandon Belt to end it, Chapman’s teammates rushed to the mound to hug him and begin their celebration.

Maddon has his confident, power-hitting Cubs on an October roll. They already beat All-Star Johnny Cueto and ex-Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija, then waited until Moore’s stellar outing was done to pounce.

“With this team, the big thing is we never give up, we never quit,” said lefty Jon Lester, who figures to start the NLCS opener. “We always feel like we have a chance, whether it’s the first inning or the ninth inning.”

Soon-to-retire David Ross homered to start the third, hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth and threw out Denard Span trying to steal.

Downright unflappable for years in these pressure-packed situations, the Giants won World Series championships in 2010, ’12 and ’14. This was the club’s first postseason series defeat in the last 12.

“We don’t think we’re going to win the World Series every even year. I mean, it took 50-something years to get one here,” quipped manager Bruce Bochy, whose bullpen management was scrutinized throughout a disappointing second half.

The orange towel-waving sellout crowd of 43,166, perhaps spoiled this decade by the every-other-year title success, had been counting on a few more games by the bay this October.

Moore, acquired from Tampa Bay at the Aug. 1 trade deadline for games of this magnitude, struck out 10 as his former Rays manager — Maddon — watched from the other dugout.

Long after Cubs starter John Lackey’s night was done with just four innings, Hector Rondon pitched the eighth for the win.

WHAT CURSE?

Lester doesn’t buy all the superstition surrounding Chicago’s championship drought.

“Nobody really cares in there about a curse or a goat or anything else,” he said. “If we make a mistake, we’re not going to blame it on a curse or anything else like that. We’re going to blame it on ourselves and be accountable for it and move on to the next play or the next moment. … We’ve got too many young guys in there that don’t even know what that stuff is, you know what I mean? So, it’s almost better to play naive and just go out and worry about us, worry about the Cubs and not anything else in the past or, like I said, any animals.”

POWER PITCHERS

Two pitchers homered for the Cubs in the series: Arrieta on Monday and reliever Travis Wood in Game 2. The 1924 New York Giants were the only other team to have two pitchers go deep in a postseason series, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

“That’s pretty incredible, isn’t it?” Maddon said.

GIANTS INJURIES

Left fielder Angel Pagan missed his second straight start with back spasms, and third baseman Eduardo Nunez’s strained right hamstring is still slow to heal, leaving the Giants to contemplate replacing one on the roster. But no move was made before the game.

CRAWFORD’S MISCUES

The shortstop was the first Giants player to commit two errors in a postseason game since Don Mueller on Sept. 29, 1954, in Game 1 of the World Series.

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley watches his RBI-single during the eighth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Utley lifts Dodgers to 6-5 win over Nats to force Game 5

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw was out of the game, his head down in the dugout, the Los Angeles bullpen faltering and the season slipping away.

Chase Utley plucked the Dodgers from the brink, singling home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the eighth inning.

Suddenly, Game 5 was on the horizon.

One more chance to pursue the club’s first World Series appearance in 28 years.

“There is no quit in this team,” closer Kenley Jansen said.

The Dodgers avoided elimination Tuesday with a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals that forced a deciding game in their NL playoff.

Jansen worked the ninth for a save, one day after giving up four late runs during Los Angeles’ loss in Game 3.

“I got out there and focused and fought,” he said.

The finale is Thursday in Washington, with 20-game winner Max Scherzer set to pitch for the Nationals.

“Man, this is going to be a heck of a ballgame,” he said. “The effort from both sides over the first four games has been incredible. Great pitching, great hitting, defense, everything.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he will use left-hander Rich Hill and rookie Julio Urias, but did not announce which one will start. Hill is expected to get the ball first.

“If anyone gives up on this team, they haven’t seen us play a whole lot this year,” Roberts said, “and it starts with what Clayton did — short rest and leaving it all out there. Everyone fed off that.”

Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer for the Dodgers, who turned to Kershaw on three days’ rest to salvage their season.

The score was tied 5-all with two outs in the eighth when Andrew Toles got hit by a pitch from loser Blake Treinen. Ethier followed with a single to left and Utley singled to right, scoring Toles from second for a 6-5 lead.

Trailing 5-2 in the seventh, the Nats had runners on first and second against Kershaw with two outs. The crowd chanted Kershaw’s name as he and Bryce Harper battled through eight pitches before Harper drew a walk.

“Man, that’s what baseball is all about right there — a matter of will,” Nats manager Dusty Baker said. “Kershaw was on empty. We knew it. They knew it. Everybody knew it.”

Harper’s walk loaded the bases and chased Kershaw, who walked off with his head down. He sat alone in the dugout with his head resting on his right hand.

“Kershaw was outstanding,” Baker said. “That’s one of the best performances I’ve seen, especially on three days’ rest.”

But the Dodgers’ bullpen nearly gave the game away.

Pedro Baez came in and hit Jayson Werth with his only pitch, forcing in a run to make it 5-3. Baez got booed off the field.

Daniel Murphy’s single off Luis Avilan dropped between Toles and Joc Pederson in left-center field, scoring two runs to tie it at 5. Avilan also heard boos.

Joe Blanton, who earned the win, retired Anthony Rendon on a swinging strikeout to end the inning.

“Our bullpen has been unbelievable,” Kershaw said. “Joe did what Joe’s been doing all season. He’s been through a lot in his career but he came in and shut them down.”

After failing to close out the Dodgers on the road, Washington gets one more chance to win a playoff series for the first time since the franchise relocated from Montreal. NL East champions in three of the past five years, the Nationals were unable to advance during their two previous trips to the postseason.

“That’s why we fought so hard for the home-field advantage,” Baker said. “This year, it’s coming to fruition.”

Desperate to avoid another early playoff exit, the Dodgers went with Kershaw, their three-time Cy Young Award winner who won Game 1 last Friday despite going just five innings and allowing three runs.

This time, he was charged with five runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out 11 — equaling his second-best postseason total — and walked two.

The left-hander was limited to 149 innings while compiling a 1.69 ERA during the regular season. He missed 2 1/2 months with a mildly herniated disk in his back.

Kershaw opened the game by giving up a leadoff single and a walk before Murphy’s RBI single.

The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning on Gonzalez’s two-run shot that scored Justin Turner, who was hit by a pitch from Joe Ross.

Werth’s RBI single tied it 2-all in the third.

Los Angeles again answered in the bottom of the inning, with Kershaw getting the rally going with a double to left field. He slid into second and clenched his fists in a rare show of emotion.

Kershaw scored on Turner’s single with two outs. Pederson got hit by a pitch from Ross with the bases loaded, forcing in Turner

Ross made his postseason debut for the Nationals, giving up four runs and three hits in 2 2/3 innings, equaling the shortest playoff start in the history of the Montreal-Washington franchise. The 23-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked two. He hasn’t pitched more than four innings since coming off the disabled list on Sept. 18.

LOOK OUT!

Five players were hit by pitches, including four Dodgers, which set a single-game franchise playoff record. Of the quartet, two ended up scoring. Werth was the lone Nationals player to get hit.

There have been 11 hit batters in the series, a postseason record.

“No one on either side is trying to hit anybody with everything on the line right now,” Scherzer said. “That’s just baseball being played at its highest.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg experienced discomfort in his right elbow during a bullpen session Monday at Dodger Stadium. He threw 30 or 31 pitches instead of the scheduled 35. Strasburg has been out since tearing the pronator tendon in his elbow on Sept. 7.

Baker said Strasburg was throwing the ball “very good” and he’s not concerned about the pitcher’s progress. Strasburg has said he would try to return this season if the Nationals advance to the NLCS.

CAN’T CLOSE ‘EM OUT

Baker has lost eight consecutive postseason games when his team would have advanced with a victory. That’s the longest such streak in major league history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

ELIMINATION GAMES

The Dodgers improved to 12-15 in postseason elimination games since moving to Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A little past midnight in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, Clayton Kershaw emerged from the bullpen to pitch in relief for the first time in seven years.

Two outs later, the only save of his major league career in the books, Kershaw’s arms were raised and teammates were rushing to celebrate with a guy whose postseason performances have never carried the luster of his regular-season success.

Coming in after closer Kenley Jansen entered in the seventh inning and threw a career-high 51 pitches but issued a pair of one-out walks in the ninth, Kershaw got Daniel Murphy to pop out, then struck out Wilmer Difo to end it. That finished the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dramatic 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals that decided their NL Division Series in the wee hours of Friday.

“The adrenaline rush was pretty good right there,” said Kershaw, who approached Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the seventh inning to offer to pitch if need be on the must-win occasion.

“At the at the end of the day, if we don’t win that game, we’re going home, anyway, so what does it matter?” Kershaw said. “I just wanted to be available, and it ended up to the point where I could help out tonight.”

The Dodgers won the last two games of the best-of-five NLDS with Kershaw pitching in each and now head to the NL Championship Series to face the Chicago Cubs. That opens at Wrigley Field on Saturday night.

The Nationals, meanwhile, still have never won a postseason series, winning three NL East titles in the past five years but losing in the NLDS each time.

And while there’s no way Kershaw will be available for Game 1 against Chicago, one thing’s for sure: Whatever notion there might have been about the lefty’s playoff problems — he was 2-6 in the postseason until this series, with an ERA nearly twice what he has in the regular season — is now a thing of the past.

“That (criticism) is ridiculous,” Dodgers President Stan Kasten said, his dress shirt soaked with alcohol from the postgame festivities. “That’s why I said to him, ‘Dude, you’re Mr. October.'”

Kershaw worked two days after throwing 110 pitches over 6 2/3 innings in Game 4, when he had the benefit of only three days’ rest following his win in the opener against the Nationals.

“Nobody wants it more than him — his tireless work ethic and how much he competes. And just for him to go up and tell them, ‘Hey, I can come in and close this thing out if you need me,’ just says so much about the type of player he is,” said Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, whose two-run triple in the seventh helped LA build its lead. “He’s a winner. He’s a champion.”

How unanticipated was this work as a reliever? Several hours before Thursday’s game began, Dodgers first-year manager Dave Roberts was asked whether Kershaw might be available at all — maybe just for one out, say?

“No,” came Roberts’ reply. “Absolutely not.”

Turned out the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner would get a pair of outs in his first relief appearance since the 2009 playoffs.

“Clayton came to me in the seventh,” Roberts explained, “and said that he had an inning if I needed it.”

Kershaw came in after Jansen got a career-high seven outs. Jansen walked Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth with one out in the ninth — and that’s when Roberts went to Kershaw.

Kershaw wound up with his second pro save. His other came on Aug. 19, 2006, in the Gulf Coast League in a game against the Nationals’ rookie club.

And Kershaw’s catcher that day a decade ago?

Amazingly, none other than Jansen, who didn’t begin pitching professionally until three years later.

Jansen said he couldn’t recall that particular game. He assured everyone he’ll never forget this one. When Kershaw walked from the dugout to the bullpen before removing his blue jacket to start warming up, he got fist bumps from teammates.

In the tunnel that leads from the dugout to the visiting clubhouse, Jansen looked up at a TV and saw Kershaw getting ready to pitch.

“I’m like, ‘Wait a minute. Am I dreaming right now?’ I couldn’t believe it,” Jansen said later, just socks on his feet and ski goggles on his head, leaning against a wall in a clubhouse hallway. “I’m like, ‘Is Kersh warming up? Is he really out there?”

Sure was.

LA’s scoring all came in a four-run seventh off six Nationals pitchers, including Joc Pederson’s homer off Max Scherzer.

“It’s the craziest game I’ve ever been a part of,” said Scherzer, who took a no-hitter into the fifth. “We just didn’t get it done. No one’s a goat. No one made a crucial misplay. Everybody stepped up and did their game. We just didn’t get that extra run.”

Washington was leading 1-0 in the sixth, when Werth walked and Ryan Zimmerman smacked a two-out double to left. But third-base coach Bob Henley — whose propensity for waving runners home led to a popular T-shirt among Nationals players that says, “Send ’em short, send ’em tall, send ’em one, send ’em all” — sent Werth and saw him get thrown out easily on shortstop Corey Seager’s relay.

Wasn’t even close.

“You live and die by those moments, sometimes,” Werth said.

And in the sort of blink-and-you-missed-it game-shifting sequence, Werth’s inning-ending, overzealous bid to score was followed immediately by Pederson’s homer on Scherzer’s first — and, it turned out, only — pitch of the seventh.

That began a rally that included a pinch-hit RBI single by 37-year-old pinch hitter Carlos Ruiz, helping LA go up 4-1.

Then came pinch hitter Chris Heisey’s two-run homer in the Washington seventh.

Then came Jansen in an inning that took 66 minutes and included a total of eight pitchers.

And then came Kershaw.

The West champion Dodgers are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2013, but they’ve lost in their past three trips to that round, failing to make it to the World Series since they won their most recent championship in 1988.

And Kershaw had a hand in all three NLDS wins.

“Looking him in the eye, I felt good about it, and the training staff gave the OK,” Roberts said, “so it’s only fitting for Clayton to get the last out right there.”

MATCHUP

The Cubs were 4-3 against the Dodgers this year. The only other time they met in the postseason was the 2008 NLDS, which LA swept.

1-AND-DONE

The East champion Nationals are one-and-done in the playoffs yet again, losing in the NLDS yet again. Washington was beaten in five games in 2012 by St. Louis, and in four games in 2014 by San Francisco. Take it back further, and a baseball club based in the nation’s capital hasn’t won a postseason series since the old Senators were the 1924 World Series champions.

“I’m not ready to go home,” Nationals first-year manager Dusty Baker said. “I haven’t been home since February, but I would have gladly stayed a couple more weeks.”

Marc Rzepczynski was the losing pitcher.

YOUNG URIAS

Dodgers LHP Julio Urias, who turned 20 in August, became the youngest pitcher to appear in the postseason since Cincinnati’s Don Gullett was 19 in the 1970 World Series, the Dodgers said, citing STATS. Urias entered in the fifth and threw two scoreless innings and got the win. He walked Harper, then picked him off first base.

MAKE THE MOVE

Before this year, Roberts was best known in the postseason for his ninth-inning steal as a pinch-runner in Game of the 2004 ALCS that sparked Boston’s comeback against the Yankees. He’ll now also be remembered for his mound maneuvers that won this game — he used three members of his rotation, plus his closer in a career-long outing.

“These are conversations that me, the front office, we have daily, about just kind of forward-thinking, being open-minded to how you can use guys in certain roles. And today was a prime example,” Roberts said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Max Scherzer celebrated aboard a boat off the British Virgin Islands, doused by college pals on a floating party.

Rick Porcello enjoyed the moment at his parents’ home in New Jersey, surrounded by family, friends and a few bottles of wine.

As for Justin Verlander, well, fuming supermodel Kate Upton brought the heat for her fiance.

Rotation mates for five seasons in Detroit, the three right-handers topped the Cy Young Award talk Wednesday: Scherzer easily won the NL prize, Porcello edged out Verlander for the AL honor.

“That’s just the weird thing about these,” said Scherzer, who ruled the majors with 284 strikeouts and topped the NL with 20 wins for Washington. “It’s the voting.”

Porcello led baseball with 22 wins for Boston, and had a 3.15 ERA.

Porcello won despite getting just eight of the 30 first-place votes from members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America — this was the first time the AL Cy winner didn’t get the most firsts.

Verlander went 16-9 with a 2.40 ERA while leading the AL in strikeouts and other categories. He got 14 first-place votes, but didn’t draw as much support across the board — he was left off two ballots, too.

Overall, Porcello won 137-132 in the second-closest vote since 1970 (Verlander lost by four points to David Price in 2012).

Voters list their five picks in order. A first-place vote is worth seven points, four for second, three for third, two for fourth and one for fifth. Verlander needed to pick up five more points to match Porcello.

Upton fired off three tweets, one of them rather saucy, telling Porcello “you didn’t win.”

Asked whether he was bothered by the brouhaha, Porcello simply said, “No, I honestly don’t care.”

“I’m not the one who made the decision,” he said on a conference call.

Porcello got a $100,000 bonus for winning the Cy. Verlander, who won the 2011 award, would’ve gotten $500,000 for this win.

Porcello bounced back from going 9-15 in his first season with the Red Sox, finishing 22-4 for the AL East champs.

He shared this last win of 2016 with those who “never wavered” in their support, admitting, “It was hard not to start bawling and crying.”

Cleveland’s Corey Kluber was third and got three first-place votes. Baltimore reliever Zach Britton, who went 47 for 47 on save chances with a 0.54 ERA, had five first-place votes and was fourth.

Scherzer breezed, drawing 25 first-place votes to beat out Chicago Cubs teammates Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks.

Scherzer became the sixth pitcher to earn the Cy Young in both leagues. After earning the AL honor in 2013 with the Tigers, Scherzer joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Gaylord Perry and Roy Halladay as winners in both leagues.

This award, Scherzer said, meant even more than the first one.

“It just verifies everything I try to achieve,” he said.

Scherzer posted a record-tying 20-strikeout performance for the NL East champion Nationals, a year after he threw two no-hitters in his first season with Washington.

“I want to find a way to be better,” he said.

Scherzer is the first pitcher from a Washington franchise to win a Cy Young. The award was first presented in 1956.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw got three first-place votes and finished fifth. Jose Fernandez, the Miami star killed in a boating accident in September, was seventh.

The final major postseason awards will be presented Thursday when the MVP honors are announced.

Cubs slugger Kris Bryant, Washington’s Daniel Murphy and newly presented Rookie of the Year Corey Seager of the Dodgers are up for the NL award. Mike Trout of the Angels, Mookie Betts of the Red Sox and Jose Altuve of the Astros are the AL contestants.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Long before they were honored for guiding teams with depleted rosters to first-place finishes, Dave Roberts and Terry Francona were forever linked.

Fans in Boston and beyond will always remember that signature stolen base.

It was Roberts’ daring swipe as a pinch-runner in the bottom of the ninth inning that helped the Red Sox — managed by Francona — rally from the brink of being swept in the 2004 AL Championship Series and sped them toward ending their 86-year World Series curse.

Francona went on to win two titles with Boston, and on Tuesday he earned his second AL Manager of the Year award with Cleveland.

But what if Roberts had been thrown out, could that have altered a path that might someday land Francona in the Hall of Fame?

“The truth of it is, it probably would’ve been completely different,” Francona said on a conference call.

“There’s always a Dave Roberts-being-out from being the other way,” he said.

The 44-year-old Roberts won the NL Manager of the Year honor in his first season as a skipper, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to the NL West crown.

Roberts and Francona each won handily. The voting figures to be much closer Wednesday for the Cy Young awards.

Boston’s Rick Porcello (majors-leading 22 wins), Detroit’s Justin Verlander (league-high 254 strikeouts, best wins above replacement for pitchers by baseballreference.com) and Cleveland’s Corey Kluber (second among pitchers in WAR) are up for the AL prize.

Chicago Cubs teammates Kyle Hendricks (majors-best 2.13 ERA, 16-8) and Jon Lester (2.44, 19-5) and Washington’s Max Scherzer (20-7, majors-most 284 strikeouts) are competing for the NL honor.

Roberts didn’t bat in the 2004 postseason and didn’t even play in the World Series sweep over St. Louis. But to just “play a small part” in his only season in Boston was rewarding, and he still retains lessons taught by Francona.

Being unselfish and playing “for the right reasons … the game honors you,” he said.

Known for that one slide into second base, Roberts certainly had to scramble this season.

The Dodgers put 28 different players on the disabled list, more than any team in the last 30 years. An injury to ace Clayton Kershaw was among the reasons they employed a franchise record-tying 55 players, including 31 pitchers.

Among the Dodgers who managed to stay healthy: shortstop Corey Seager, chosen NL Rookie of the Year on Monday.

Roberts said he was particularly proud of “the way our guys battled adversity all year.”

Roberts made a record 606 pitching changes while going 91-71. Twice, he pulled pitchers in the late innings when they were throwing no-hitters, trying to protect their arms from overuse.

In the postseason, Roberts took a creative approach to his bullpen. He used Kershaw against Washington in the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series, then brought in closer Kenley Jansen early while taking a 2-1 lead over the Cubs in the NLCS.

Members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voted at the end of the regular season.

Roberts got 16 first-place votes to top Joe Maddon, whose Cubs won the World Series. Maddon, who earned the award last year, was picked first on eight ballots.

Washington’s Dusty Baker was third and got four firsts. Terry Collins of the New York Mets had the other two firsts.

Roberts was the lone NL manager chosen on every ballot. This marked the third straight year a first-time manager has been honored, following Texas’ Jeff Banister and Washington’s Matt Williams.

The 57-year-old Francona guided the Indians to the AL Central title at 94-67. They overtook the defending champion Royals and high-spending Tigers despite losing starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco, All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley and catcher Yan Gomes to injuries and outfielders Marlon Byrd and Abraham Almonte to drug suspensions.

Cleveland came close to winning its first World Series title since 1948, but the Cubs rallied from a 3-1 deficit.

“It was an unbelievably satisfying year,” Francona said.

It’s already been a busy offseason for him, too. The Indians picked up options for his contract in 2019 and 2020, then he had a right hip replacement operation.

Francona drew 22 first-place votes and was the only manager chosen on all 30 ballots.

Banister was second and got four firsts. Baltimore’s Buck Showalter, who was third, and Boston’s John Farrell both drew a pair of firsts.

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Bud Selig oversaw baseball during a time of transformation and turmoil — wild cards and a ballpark boom, the cancellation of a World Series and the Steroids Era. For much of his reign, though, there was one constant: those first-place Atlanta Braves, built by John Schuerholz.

The former commissioner and the longtime general manager met up again Sunday, both elected by an overwhelming margin to the Hall of Fame.

Even so, Selig didn’t see it as a sure thing.

“It reminded me of many a ninth inning when I used to pace around,” the one-time owner of the Milwaukee Brewers said on a conference call.

Schuerholz was picked by all 16 voters on a veterans committee at the winter meetings in suburban Washington. Selig was listed 15 times.

“The ultimate of honors,” Schuerholz said.

It took 12 votes for election, and former player and manager Lou Piniella was third with seven. Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Mark McGwire and George Steinbrenner also were on the ballot considered by the Today’s Game Era panel, and none of them got more than five votes.

Selig became the fifth of 10 commissioners to reach the Hall. He will be enshrined July 30 in Cooperstown, New York — on his 83rd birthday.

His election was sure to draw fire from fans who link him to some of the game’s darkest moments.

He called off the 1994 World Series during a players’ strike. He was in charge when illegal steroids left a cloud of performance-enhancing drugs that still lingers — and that might prompt some to wonder whether power hitters and power pitchers who benefited from PEDs should now be welcomed to the Hall, too.

“Sometimes in life you have to go through certain things to maybe solve the problem,” Selig said.

Under Selig, the playoffs expanded from four teams to eight to 10 and the leagues were split into three divisions. Video replay was added to review umpire calls, revenue sharing was put in place and 20 new stadiums opened across the majors.

“We were a sport resistant to change,” he said. “And, yes, I believe in those years as commissioner, that’s the most change in baseball history.”

There was no variance, however, once Schuerholz took over as GM of the Braves in the winter of 1990.

Atlanta had never won even a single playoff game in its 25-season existence before going from worst-to-first in its first year under Schuerholz, starting an unprecedented run of 14 straight division titles.

The Braves were boosted in that time by their Big Three of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, and manager Bobby Cox, all of them already in the Hall. Star third baseman Chipper Jones is expected to join them soon enough.

Schuerholz was the first GM to run clubs that took World Series crowns in both leagues, winning with Kansas City in 1985 and Atlanta in 1995.

“I loved to build teams,” he said.

In 26 years as a GM, his teams won 16 division titles and six pennants.

“I always had aspirations to be a successful general manager,” Schuerholz said.

The 76-year-old later became president of the Braves and is currently a vice chairman with the team, helping prepare for its move to SunTrust Park next season. His son was a minor league infielder with the Braves and works in their front office.

Born in Baltimore, and the son of a former Philadelphia Athletics minor league second baseman, Schuerholz played the same position at Towson University in his hometown. He was teaching eighth-grade English and world geography in 1966 when, during a class break, he wrote a letter to the president of the Orioles, saying he really wanted to work in baseball and hoping for a chance.

“It all started with that letter,” he remembered.