Juan Rivera hit a go-ahead, three-run double in the sixth, John Lackey pitched seven strong innings and the Los Angeles Angels prevented Oakland from winning the American League West on Saturday with a 6-2 victory over the Athletics.
Oakland's magic number to clinch its first division title since 2003 remained at two, so the A's could still do it at home with a win in yesterday's series finale. They lead Los Angeles by seven games with eight to go, including the final four of the season against the Angels in Anaheim.
Dan Haren was to take the ball for the A's yesterday against fellow 14-game winner Ervin Santana.
Lackey (12-11) allowed two runs and four hits to beat Joe Blanton (16-12). The A's had their four-game winning streak snapped with only their second loss in 10 games.
Twins 8, Orioles 5
At Baltimore, Torii Hunter hit his 29th homer, Rondell White had four hits and Minnesota took advantage of some sloppy defense in a victory over Baltimore.
The outcome eliminated Boston from postseason contention and enabled the Twins to reduce their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to three. Any combination of Minnesota wins and Chicago White Sox losses totaling three will ensure the Twins no worse than a wild-card berth.
White Sox 11, Mariners 7
At Chicago, Paul Konerko hit a go-ahead homer in a five-run eighth inning and Chicago rallied after a long rain delay to beat Seattle, maintaining its faint playoff hopes.
Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 3
At Toronto, Lyle Overbay and Troy Glaus hit consecutive homers, and A.J. Burnett pitched seven strong innings to lead Toronto over Boston, which was eliminated from playoff contention.
Tigers 15, Royals 4
At Kansas City, Missouri, Curtis Granderson homered, tripled and drove in three runs in a 10-run first inning to help the Tigers rout the Royals.
Devil Rays 8, Yankees 0
At St Petersburg, Florida, Ty Wigginton and B.J. Upton homered for the Devil Rays, spoiling Randy Johnson's bid to become the American League's third 18-game winner.
Indians 6, Rangers 3
At Arlington, Texas, Jhonny Peralta homered and drove in three runs to help Cleveland beat the Rangers.
Trevor Hoffman tied Lee Smith's career saves record with No. 478 and the San Diego Padres beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Saturday to retain their lead in the National League West.
Diamondbacks 9, Dodgers 3
At Los Angeles, Miguel Batista overcame a shaky start to pitch eight strong innings for his first win since Aug. 9, Eric Byrnes had four hits, and the Diamondbacks beat the fading Dodgers.
Phillies 8, Marlins 6
At Philadelphia, Carlos Ruiz and Jeff Conine each drove in three runs, Jon Lieber pitched seven solid innings and Philadelphia beat Florida to continue its playoff push.
Mets 12, Nationals 6
At New York, David Wright's three-run homer capped a six-run fifth inning, and New York rallied past Washington.
Astros 7, Cardinals 4
At Houston, Luke Scott hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the ninth inning to give Houston a victory over St Louis.
Brewers 10, Giants 8
At Milwaukee, Barry Bonds hit his 734th career home run to break Hank Aaron's NL record, but Milwaukee rallied past San Francisco for its third consecutive win over the struggling Giants.
Cubs 11, Reds 4
At Cincinnati, Carlos Zambrano hit his sixth homer, tying the Cubs' record for a pitcher, and Aramis Ramirez had a two-run shot that sparked Chicago to a victory over bumbling Cincinnati.
Rockies 10, Braves 9
At Denver, Kaz Matsui hit a two-run triple in a six-run third inning and Jeff Francis became the winningest lefty in Rockies history during Colorado's frigid victory over Atlanta.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
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Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or