NATIONAL LEAGUE
Derek Lowe had another miserable outing, surrendering five runs in four-plus innings, as the Philadelphia Phillies romped to a 7-1 victory on Tuesday that left the Atlanta Braves on the brink missing the playoffs.
Chase Utley, Hunter Pence and Jimmy Rollins homered for the playoff-bound Phillies to back a three-hit outing by Roy Oswalt (9-10), who tuned up for the playoffs with a strong performance in a largely disappointing season.
Photo: AFP
The Braves lost their fourth in a row and eighth in 11 games, sending them to the final day of the regular season assured of no more than a one-game lead over the St Louis Cardinals.
Cardinals 13, Astros 6
In Houston, Texas, the Cardinals are tied with Atlanta for the NL wild-card lead, getting a vital two-run triple from Ryan Theriot in the seventh inning of a victory over Houston.
The Cardinals trailed 5-0 early and appeared to be headed for a second straight loss to the Astros, but St Louis scored five times in the fourth and erased a 6-5 deficit with a four-run seventh.
Lance Berkman hit a two-out single and scored on Allen Craig’s tying double. Yadier Molina walked before Theriot’s triple made it 8-6.
Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 6 (10)
In Phoenix, Arizona, Ryan Roberts’ Grand Slam capped a six-run 10th inning that gave Arizona the most amazing of their 48 come-from-behind victories this season.
The Dodgers had scored five runs in their half of the 10th and retired the first two batters in Arizona’s half of the inning.
However, the Diamondbacks loaded the bases and scored a run on an error. Los Angeles closer Javy Guerra (2-1) came on and walked in a run, then Roberts lined the first pitch he saw over the fence in left field. It was Guerra’s second blown save in 23 tries.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Brewers 6, Pirates 4
‧ Reds 5, Mets 4 (13)
‧ Giants 7, Rockies 0
‧ Marlins 3, Nationals 2
‧ Cubs 6, Padres 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, ST PETERSBURG, Florida
Matt Joyce and Ben Zobrist homered to help the Tampa Bay Rays continue their improbable chase for the AL wild card with a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
The Rays, seeking their third playoff berth in four seasons, began the night tied with Boston after making up nine games in the standings since Sept. 4.
Joyce’s three-run homer off former teammate Rafael Soriano (2-3) was the All-Star’s first in more than three weeks and wiped out a 3-2 deficit in the seventh. Zobrist hit a two-run drive off Bartolo Colon in the second and the Rays kept the score close by turning the third triple play in franchise history after falling behind in the sixth.
Red Sox 8, Orioles 7
In Baltimore, Maryland, the Red Sox maintained a share of the AL wild-card lead, using four home runs to beat Baltimore and set up a dramatic conclusion to the regular season.
The skidding Red Sox were 6-19 this month before rebounding to edge the last-place Orioles. The win, combined with Tampa Bay’s 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees, kept Boston and the Rays tied with one game left.
White Sox 2, Blue Jays 1
In Chicago, Mark Buehrle pitched seven shutout innings in possibly his final start for Chicago and Tyler Flowers homered in a victory over Toronto.
The White Sox played their first game since Ozzie Guillen was released from his contract after Monday night’s victory over the Blue Jays. Pitching coach Don Cooper served as interim manager.
Buehrle (13-9) allowed six hits, struck out six and walked none. He left to an ovation before throwing a pitch in the top of the eighth.
Buehrle will be a free agent after the season. General manager Ken Williams said before the game he didn’t know yet whether Buehrle fits into the team’s future plans.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ Rangers 10, Angels 3
‧ Tigers 9, Indians 6
‧ Twins 7, Royals 4
‧ Athletics 7, Mariners 0
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