AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Boston Red Sox will have to wait at least one more day to clinch their fifth postseason trip in six years.
Rookie Zach Jackson pitched six solid innings and the Cleveland Indians beat Josh Beckett and the Red Sox 4-3 on Monday with the help of a bizarre play involving the third base umpire.
Beckett (12-10) struggled with his control, hitting a career-worst three batters, throwing a wild pitch and walking in a run.
The Red Sox, with six games left, fell two-and-a-half games behind American League East leader Tampa Bay, which beat Baltimore 4-2.
With Cleveland ahead 4-2, Boston had runners at first and second with two outs in the sixth.
Jeff Bailey then lined the ball inside third base. Gerry Davis signaled it was fair, but the ball hit him and stopped just beyond the infield dirt. Third baseman Jamey Carroll picked it up, and Bay, who had rounded third, was caught in a rundown and tagged out.
David Ortiz hit his 23rd homer for the Red Sox.
RAYS 4, ORIOLES 2
At Baltimore, Jason Bartlett doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning as Tampa Bay beat Baltimore to take another step toward its first AL East title.
The victory reduced the Rays’ magic number for winning the division crown to four after the Red Sox lost to the Indians. Any combination of Tampa Bay wins and Red Sox losses totaling four would make the Rays champions of the AL East.
Tampa Bay has already clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.
Akinori Iwamura singled in two runs in the fifth, and Bartlett’s pivotal double off Rocky Cherry (0-3) followed an error by second baseman Brian Roberts and a walk to Eric Hinske.
ROYALS 6, TIGERS 2
At Detroit, David DeJesus went 4-for-4 and Mike Aviles drove in two runs to lead Kansas City past Detroit.
The Tigers were minus suspended slugger Gary Sheffield, then lost star Miguel Cabrera in the third inning because of a tight back.
Detroit has lost 10 of 11, and is only one game ahead of last-place Kansas City in the AL Central. Sheffield was suspended four games earlier in the day for brawling with Cleveland pitcher Fausto Carmona last week.
Gil Meche (13-11) won for the third time in four starts, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings. Zach Miner (8-5) took the loss, giving up four runs in six-plus innings.
In other American League action on Monday it was:
• Angels 2, Mariners 1
• Athletics 4, Rangers 3, 11 innings
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, PHILADELPHIA
Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning as the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Monday for their 10th win in 11 games.
The Phillies reduced their magic number for clinching their second straight division title to four. Philadelphia’s magic number for clinching a playoff berth is three.
Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer for the Braves, who helped the Phillies by winning two straight against the Mets over the weekend.
CUBS 9, METS 5
At New York, Jason Marquis became the second pitcher to hit a grand slam against New York this season, and Chicago clinched home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs while damaging the Mets’ postseason chances.
Struggling to avoid another late collapse, the Mets slipped 2 1/2 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East and had their wild-card lead cut to one game over idle Milwaukee.
Jon Niese (1-1) lasted only three-plus innings in his third major league start and New York lost its third straight since moving into first place Friday with a win at Atlanta.
Marquis (11-9) drove in five runs and pitched effectively into the seventh, a big game in his hometown with friends and family in the stands.
Derrek Lee also homered and Reed Johnson had a pair of RBI singles for the NL Central champions in the opener of a four-game series that could be a postseason preview.
New York would play Chicago (95-60) in the first round if the NL standings don’t change.
In other National League action on Monday it was:
• Reds 7, Marlins 5
• Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 2
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