NATIONAL LEAGUE
AFP AND AP, PHILADELPHIA
Raul Ibanez belted a two-run homer and drove in three runs for the Philadelphia Phillies, who captured their third straight National League East title on Wednesday by beating Houston 10-3.
Each of the eight starting players posted either a hit or an RBI, and the Phillies won their third consecutive division title for the second time in franchise history.
“It can never get old when you win and you’re happy,” Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino said. “We’re going to another postseason. We’ve got an opportunity to be World Series champs again. We have to take it one step at a time. We can’t worry about the World Series.”
“This is the first step toward a repeat, and hopefully this is the first of many celebrations we’re going to have,” he said.
Philadelphia actually clinched the title moments before its win at Citizens Bank Park because of Atlanta’s 5-4 loss to Florida.
The Phillies will now have an opportunity to defend their World Series title after claiming their second title in franchise history in five games over the Rays last season.
The Phillies now have the longest active streak in the National League for consecutive playoff berths.
Ibanez hit his 34th home run of the Major League Baseball season, Victorino added his NL-leading 13th triple, and Pedro Feliz had two hits and an RBI for Philadelphia.
Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez allowed three runs in four innings, while Kyle Kendrick (3-1) registered the win after three innings of relief.
ROCKIES 10, BREWERS 6
At Denver, Todd Helton, Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki each hit a two-run homer as Colorado moved closer to a playoff spot.
The Rockies lead the wild card by four games over Atlanta with four to play. They also pulled within 2.5 games of NL West-leading Los Angeles, who had the day off yesterday before hosting Colorado for three games to finish the season.
Prince Fielder, Mike Cameron and Casey McGehee homered for the Brewers. Jeff Suppan (7-12) got the loss.
Jason Hammel (10-8) became the fifth Colorado pitcher to reach double digits in wins this season, going five innings and giving up four runs and seven hits.
In other games it was:
• Padres 5, Dodgers 0
• Marlins 5, Braves 4
• Giants 4, Diamondbacks 1
• Nationals 7, Mets 4
• Reds 6, Cardinals 1
• Pirates 4, Cubs 0, Game 1
• Pirates 8, Cubs 2, Game 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Magglio Ordonez hit a three-run double as the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Wednesday to move closer to the American League Central title.
Eddie Bonine pitched five effective innings after getting off to a rough start for Detroit, which increased its lead to three games over the Twins.
The Tigers could clinch their first division title since 1987 with a victory yesterday.
Carl Pavano (13-12) allowed seven runs and seven hits in 4-2/3 innings.
In other games it was:
• Blue Jays 12, Red Sox 0
• Rays 5, Orioles 3
• Royals 4, Yankees 3
• Indians 5, White Sox 1, 1st game
• White Sox 1, Indians 0, 2nd game
• Angels 5, Rangers 0
• Mariners 7, Athletics 0
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