AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Tampa Bay Rays moved closer to clinching the first playoff berth in franchise history by routing the Minnesota Twins 11-1 in the American League on Friday.
The AL East division leaders moved within one win of wrapping up at least a wildcard spot and stayed 1.5 games ahead of divisional rival Boston, while the Twins dropped 2.5 games behind Chicago in the AL Central.
Carlos Pena homered and drove in four runs.
The Rays can earn a postseason berth for the first time in their 11 seasons by winning one of two remaining games in this series.
INDIANS 6, TIGERS 5
In Cleveland, Jamey Carroll hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning and there were plenty of fights as Cleveland edged Detroit.
In the seventh inning, Indians starter Fausto Carmona hit Gary Sheffield in the left arm with a pitch to walk him. Carmona then threw to first on a pickoff attempt. Sheffield motioned and yelled at him. Carmona took a step toward first, yelled, and Sheffield charged at him and both threw punches.
Carmona got Sheffield in a headlock and landed more punches as players and coaches from both dugouts and bullpens ran onto the field. No other punches appeared to be thrown — though Carmona and Sheffield were ejected.
WHITE SOX 9, ROYALS 4
In Kansas City, Missouri, Chicago snapped Kansas City’s seven-game winning streak and extended its lead in the AL Central.
The Royals seven-match trot was their longest since the very start of the 2003 season.
The White Sox sent 10 batters to the plate in a six-run fourth inning, scoring all the runs with two outs. A double, a single and a walk laid the table for Alexei Ramirez to hit a grand slam. It was his third of the season, tying an AL rookie record.
Dewayne Wise homered twice for Chicago, while starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, working on three days’ rest, gave up six hits in as many innings.
ANGELS 15, RANGERS 13
In Arlington, Texas, Los Angeles set season highs for runs and hits, and needed them to beat Texas.
Torii Hunter homered and drove in four runs for the Angels, while Kendry Morales and Mike Napoli hit back-to-back homers.
LA had 22 hits and Texas 19, setting a new hight for the AL this season.
Los Angeles led 7-0 until the Rangers scored nine runs on nine hits in the third inning. That was the most hits and runs in an inning against the Angels since 2006.
The Angels moved 2.5 games above Tampa Bay in the race for the AL’s best record, and home park advantage throughout the playoffs.
Also on Friday it was:
• Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 3
• Yankees 3, Orioles 2
• Athletics 2, Mariners 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
The San Francisco Giants inflicted a 7-1 defeat on Los Angeles on Friday, preventing the Dodgers from increasing their lead in the National League West division.
With eight games to play, Los Angeles’ advantage over Arizona in the NL West race remained at 3.5 games.
San Francisco starter Barry Zito took a shutout into the eighth inning, guiding the Giants to a win that snapped a four-game losing skid and also ended the Dodgers run of seven straight home wins.
Zito allowed just one run while striking out six. The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner retired 13 of 14 batters during one stretch.
CARDINALS 12, CUBS 6
In Chicago, St. Louis piled on the runs to delay Chicago clinching a second straight NL Central title.
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