Major League Baseball
Phillies gain ground in wild-card standings WASHINGTON (AP) – Philadelphia beat Washington 4-3 on Friday night behind Ryan Howard’s 21st homer and Jimmy Rollins’ two hits, closing within one game of Houston in the NL wild-card standings.
After the Phillies won, the Astros wasted a ninth-inning lead and lost 4-3 to Chicago. If the Phillies (86-74) and Houston (87-73) finish the regular season in a tie, they would meet in a one-game playoff Monday at Philadelphia.
Cubs 4, Astros 3
HOUSTON – After Lance Berkman’s two-run homer in the eighth off Roberto Novoa (4-5) put Houston ahead 3-2, Brad Lidge (4-4) blew his first save in more than three months and Houston lost its second straight to Chicago.
Mets 3, Rockies 2
NEW YORK – The Mets (82-78) guaranteed a winning season in Willie Randolph’s first year as manager as Kris Benson (10-8) limited the Rockies to two runs and six hits in 7 2-3 innings for his first win in seven starts since Aug. 16. Aaron Heilman finished for his fifth save.
Marlins 5, Braves 2
MIAMI – Pinch-hitter Lenny Harris had a two-run homer in the eighth inning that lead Florida over NL East-champion Atlanta and assured the Marlins of finishing at .500 or better.
Red Sox 5, Yankees 3
BOSTON – It’s all tied up in the AL East.
Jason Varitek homered, David Ortiz drove in another big run and David Wells (15-7) pitched seven strong innings on Friday night to give the Boston Red Sox a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees, knotting the division on the season’s final weekend.
Boston’s victory left both teams at 94-66 and guarantees that the AL East title won’t be decided until Sunday, what’s scheduled to be the final day of the regular season.
Or possibly Monday.
The Red Sox and Yankees lead Cleveland by one game in the AL wild-card race after the Indians lost 3-2 in 13 innings to the Chicago White Sox.
White Sox 3, Indians 2
CLEVELAND – Resting many of its starters to prepare for the AL playoffs, Chicago damaged Cleveland’s postseason chances.
September callup Ross Gload hit a two-run double in the 13th off rookie Fernando Cabrera (2-1) as the newly crowned AL Central champions secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Angels 7, Rangers 1
ARLINGTON, Texas – John Lackey allowed three hits over five scoreless innings in his final playoff tuneup and Garret Anderson hit a three-run homer as AL West champion Los Angeles beat Texas.
Blue Jays 10, Royals 1
TORONTO – Kansas City set a team record with its 105th loss, as Toronto’s Josh Towers (13-12) pitched his second complete game of the season.
The Royals are a major league-worst 55-105.
Orioles 7, Devil Rays 6
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Melvin Mora hit a two-run homer, and Baltimore beat Tampa Bay hours after it was announced that Lou Piniella would not return as Devil Rays manager.
Mora has homered in five of his last nine games. Eric Dubose (2-3) allowed one hit in 3 1-3 scoreless innings for his
Twins 7, Tigers 3
MINNEAPOLIS – Rookie Francisco Liriano allowed five hits in seven innings for his first major league win, and Justin Morneau hit a grand slam to lead Minnesota over Detroit.