AMERICAN LEAGUE
Mariano Rivera finished what Babe Ruth started 85 years ago as New York bid farewell to Yankee Stadium with a 7-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday that prevented postseason elimination — at least for a day.
A loss would have officially ended New York’s run of 13 straight playoff appearances, and a Boston win last night against Cleveland would still do the trick.
Johnny Damon and Jose Molina homered to back Andy Pettitte (14-14), a fitting winner after he helped pitch New York to four World Series titles and six American League pennants from 1996 to 2003.
Joba Chamberlain worked one-and-two-thirds hitless innings and Rivera closed out the final regular-season home game before New York moves next year into a US$1.3 billion palace rising across the street.
Molina, filling in for Jorge Posada and batting ninth, hit a two-run shot off rookie Chris Waters (3-4) in the fourth to give New York a 5-3 lead.
RED SOX 3, BLUE JAYS 0
At Toronto, David Ortiz hit a two-run homer and Daisuke Matsuzaka remained unbeaten on the road as Boston beat Toronto to clinch at least a tie for the AL wildcard.
Boston (91-64) needs one more win or a New York loss to secure its fifth playoff berth in six seasons.
The Red Sox were set to return to Fenway Park yesterday to close the regular season with a seven-game homestand, including four against Cleveland and three against the Yankees.
ANGELS 7, RANGERS 3
At Arlington, Texas, John Lackey gave up two hits and struck out a career-high 12 in six shutout innings and Mark Teixeira and Sean Rodriguez homered as Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep of Texas.
Lackey (12-4) walked three and allowed only two runners to reach third as the AL West champs continued their playoff tuneup.
Scott Feldman (5-8) allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings to take the loss.
WHITE SOX 3, ROYALS 0
At Kansas City, Missouri, John Danks and two relievers combined on a four-hitter and Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer as AL Central-leading Chicago beat Kansas City.
The victory enabled the White Sox to remain two-and-a-half games in front of Minnesota, which won at 4-1 at Tampa Bay.
The White Sox open a three-game series today at Minnesota that will likely determine the AL Central crown.
In other AL action, it was:
• Twins 4, Rays 1
• Indians 10, Tigers 5
• Athletics 5, Mariners 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, MIAMI
Jamie Moyer pitched six sharp innings for the Philadelphia Phillies to beat the Florida Marlins 5-2 and increase their lead in the National League East division to one-and-a-half games over the New York Mets on Sunday.
At 45, Moyer (15-7) is the oldest player in the majors. Five relievers finished, with Brad Lidge closing for his 40th save in 40 chances.
The Phillies won for the ninth time in 10 games. They return home for the final week — three games against Atlanta and three against Washington.
Chase Utley hit his 32nd home run, his first since Aug. 22, and Pedro Feliz added his 14th. The Phillies set a franchise record by hitting a homer in their 17th straight game.
BRAVES 7, METS 6
At Atlanta, Scott Schoeneweis and the New York bullpen blew another late lead, with Atlanta rallying for four runs in the eighth inning and a win that stalled New York’s playoff push.
The Mets’ lead in the wild-card race was cut to one-and-a-half games by Milwaukee, which beat Cincinnati 8-1.
Down 4-3, Atlanta struck in the eighth against Schoeneweis (2-5) and three relievers. It was the latest collapse for a beleaguered bullpen missing injured closer Billy Wagner.
Carlos Delgado hit a two-run homer in the Mets ninth off Mike Gonzalez.
GIANTS 1, DODGERS 0
At Los Angeles, Rich Aurilia hit a two-out, RBI single in the 11th inning for San Francisco, trimming the Los Angeles’ lead in the NL West to two-and-a-half games over Arizona.
The loss was just the fifth in 21 games for the Dodgers. Any combination of five Los Angeles wins or losses by the Diamondbacks will give the Dodgers their first division title since 2004.
The Giants retired the last 16 Los Angeles batters in order after Blake DeWitt’s two-out single in the sixth.
DIAMONDBACKS 13, ROCKIES 4
At Denver, Chris Young drove in four runs as Arizona kept its postseason push going.
Young hit a single in the first inning, a solo homer in the second and a three-run triple over Ryan Spilborghs’ outstretched glove in the fifth.
The Diamondbacks center fielder had two more shots to get the cycle with a double, but he drew a walk in the seventh and lined sharply to Colorado third baseman Jeff Baker in his final at-bat in the ninth inning.
BREWERS 8, REDS 1
At Cincinnati, Prince Fielder homered and drove in three runs, helping Milwaukee end one of its most bizarre weeks in its history with a victory that provided little solace for a fading team.
The Brewers won for only the fifth time in 20 games, a self-destruct this month that has made them a long shot for the playoffs.
Fielder, who struck out with the bases loaded to end Saturday’s 4-3 loss, hit his fifth home run during a 12-game hitting streak. He also had a two-run double.
Todd Coffey (1-0) escaped a bases-loaded threat in the fourth, then stared toward the announcing booths so intently as he walked off the mound that he went off course. The reliever was booed and harshly criticized by a Reds broadcaster when he pitched in Cincinnati.
In other NL action, it was:
• Cubs 5, Cardinals 1
• Astros 6, Pirates 2
• Padres 6, Nationals 2
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