AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, NEW YORK
PHOTO: REUTERS WARNING: EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL CAN DAM
The New York Yankees opened a two-and-a-half-game lead over Tampa Bay in the American League East by beating the Rays 8-3 on Tuesday.
Nick Swisher homered off James Shields (13-13) to key a five-run burst in the first inning as the Yankees cut their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to three over AL East third-placed Boston.
Tampa Bay nicked Phil Hughes (17-8) and two relievers, but never quite got the big hit it needed while stranding 10 runners.
Ahead 7-3, Chamberlain escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth by striking out one and inducing a line drive.
TWINS 6, INDIANS 4
In Minneapolis, Minnesota became the first team officially into the postseason, beating Cleveland to clinch the AL Central title.
It was the Twins’ sixth division title in nine years.
Denard Span’s RBI-single highlighted a four-run eighth inning after the Twins had trailed 4-2. Cleveland’s Justin Masterson (6-13) allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss.
Minnesota’s Glen Perkins (1-1) pitched one scoreless inning for the win while Twins manager Ron Gardenhire got career victory No. 800.
ROYALS 9, TIGERS 6
In Detroit, Mike Aviles drove in three runs to help Kansas City defeat Detroit.
Rookie Jerrod Dyson scored three times for the Royals, who were aided by three errors by Detroit pitchers.
KC’s Bruce Chen (11-7) improved to 3-0 in his past five starts, allowing four hits in six innings.
Detroit’s Armando Galarraga (4-7) gave up five runs in 5 1-3 innings. He has only won twice in 18 starts since his near-perfect game on June 2.
In other AL play, it was:
• Blue Jays 5, Mariners 3
• Angels 2, Rangers 0
• Athletics 7, White Sox 2
• Orioles 9, Red Sox 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, PHILADELPHIA
The Philadelphia Phillies increased their lead in the National League East division to five games by winning their ninth straight game on Tuesday, beating the Atlanta Braves 5-3.
Roy Halladay (20-10) became the first Philadelphia pitcher since Hall of Famer Steve Carlton in 1982 to win 20 games in a season.
Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer for the Phillies, who trailed Atlanta by seven games in late July but boast a 17-3 record in September to take a grip on the division.
Atlanta rookie Mike Minor (3-2) lasted just 2 1-3 innings in his eighth career start, allowing three runs.
PADRES 6, DODGERS 0
In Los Angeles, Clayton Richard (13-8) pitched his first shutout and complete game to steer San Diego past Los Angeles.
The Padres remained half a game behind the NL West-leading San Francisco, while officially eliminating the Dodgers from playoff contention. San Diego also moved within half a game of Atlanta in the wild-card race.
Ryan Ludwick gave San Diego a 2-0 lead with his two-out single to left in the third inning and finished with four RBIs. He drove in the Padres’ sixth run on a fielder’s choice grounder in the ninth.
The Padres got to Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley (11-11) for three runs in the fifth.
REDS 4, BREWERS 3
In Milwaukee, Edinson Volquez allowed one run over eight innings to steer Cincinnati past Milwaukee.
Volquez (4-3) faced the minimum number of batters through the first five innings before losing his command a little by walking four in his final three frames.
Reds closer Francisco Cordero converted his 38th save, but two runs scored with two outs when right fielder Jay Bruce made a wild throw that also went through Cordero’s legs.
Jim Edmonds homered off Dave Bush (7-13) to give Cincinnati a 1-0 but strained a leg muscle while rounding the bases.
The Reds moved eight games ahead of St Louis and now have a magic number of four to clinch the NL Central.
In other NL play, it was:
• Nationals 8, Astros 4
• Giants 1, Cubs 0
• Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 1
• Marlins 5, Mets 2
• Pirates 5, Cardinals 2
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