Tigers move one step closer
Curtis Granderson homered, tripled, and drove in three runs in a 10-run first inning last night to help the visiting Detroit Tigers rout Kansas City, 15-4, reducing their magic number to one for clinching their first playoff berth since 1987.
But Granderson, for one, is not getting ahead of himself. ``If we happen to win the game here [today], for example, normal routine after the game, congratulate everybody, come in to the dugout, little hugs and what-not, but I don't think it should be too blown up."
Detroit, which lost an AL-record 119 games in 2003, maintained its 1 1/2-game lead in the AL Central over Minnesota.
Granderson led off the game for the fifth time this season with a home run. His triple to right scored Placido Polanco, who was playing for the first time since separating his shoulder in Boston Aug. 15, and Chris Shelton. Every Tigers starter reached base in the inning except for Craig Monroe, who grounded out twice.
Padres 2, Pirates 1 -- Jake Peavy struck out 11, rookie Josh Barfield hit a go-ahead homer leading off the seventh, and Trevor Hoffman tied Lee Smith's career saves record with No. 478 as host San Diego beat Pittsburgh to retain its lead in the NL West.
With the sellout crowd of 43,168 on its feet, Hoffman jogged in from the bullpen to start the ninth with AC/DC's ``Hells Bells" blaring over the stadium speakers, as it has for each of his home save opportunities since July 25, 1998. Hoffman, 38, pitched a perfect ninth for his NL-best 42d save in 47 chances.
Brewers 10, Giants 8 -- Barry Bonds hit his 734th career home run to break Hank Aaron's NL record, but host Milwaukee rallied past San Francisco.
Bonds hit a solo shot off Chris Capuano over the right-center fence in the third inning. Bonds is 21 homers shy of Aaron's career mark of 755.
It was Bonds's 26th home run this season -- and it came in the same city where Aaron started and ended his major league career.
Twins 8, Orioles 5 -- Torii Hunter homered and Rondell White had four hits for visiting Minnesota, whose victory eliminated the Red Sox from postseason contention.
Diamondbacks 9, Dodgers 3 -- Miguel Batista pitched eight strong innings and Eric Byrnes had four hits as visiting Arizona beat Los Angeles. The loss was the Dodgers' 12th in 20 games and dropped them out of the lead in the wild-card race.
Phillies 8, Marlins 6 -- Carlos Ruiz and Jeff Conine each drove in three runs, Jon Lieber (9-10) pitched seven solid innings, and host Philadelphia beat Florida for its ninth win in 11 games, allowing the Phillies to take over the wild-card lead with Los Angeles's loss.
Cubs 11, Reds 4 -- Carlos Zambrano hit his sixth homer, tying the Cubs' record for a pitcher (Fergie Jenkins, 1971), as visiting Chicago beat the bumbling Reds (six errors).
White Sox 11, Mariners 7 -- Paul Konerko hit a go-ahead homer in a five-run eighth inning as host Chicago kept alive its faint playoff hopes.
Angels 6, Athletics 2 -- Juan Rivera hit a go-ahead, three-run double in the sixth, John Lackey (12-11) pitched seven strong innings, and Los Angeles prevented host Oakland from winning the AL West.
Astros 7, Cardinals 4 -- In Houston, Luke Scott hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the ninth inning, keeping the hosts' slim playoff hopes alive.
Indians 6, Rangers 3 -- Jhonny Peralta homered and drove in three runs to help visiting Cleveland win for only the sixth time in 20 games.
Mets 12, Nationals 6 -- David Wright's three-run homer capped a six-run fifth inning as host New York rallied past Washington.
Rockies 10, Braves 9 -- In Denver, Kaz Matsui hit a two-run triple in a six-run third inning as Colorado beat Atlanta.
Devil Rays 8, Yankees 0 -- Ty Wigginton and B.J. Upton homered, helping host Tampa Bay beat Randy Johnson.
