Kendry Morales homered and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Angels wasted no time clinching their fifth AL West title in six seasons with an 11-0 victory over the second-place Texas Rangers last night in Anaheim, Calif.
Ervin Santana pitched a seven-hitter for his fourth career shutout, while Maicer Izturis had three hits and drove in two runs to wrap up the Angels’ sixth playoff berth in eight seasons. Los Angeles (92-64) will open at home in the best-of-five first round next week.
Needing one win in this four-game series to clinch their third straight division title, the Angels swiftly eliminated any suspense. The Rangers’ loss reduces the Red Sox’ magic number to one to clinch the AL wild card.
Braves 4, Marlins 0 - Jair Jurrjens pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, Chipper Jones homered and host Atlanta won its seventh straight.
It was the Braves’ 15th victory in 17 games, a stretch that has put them within two games of idle Colorado in the NL wild-card race and four behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East.
Astros 8, Phillies 2 - Yorman Bazardo pitched 5 2/3 effective innings against the team that cut him in spring training, and helped visiting Houston prevent Philadelphia from reducing its magic number.
The Phillies, who had an 8 1/2-game lead with 13 remaining, have lost five of seven. They still have a magic number of three for their third straight division title.
Pirates 11, Dodgers 1 - Former Los Angeles prospect Andy LaRoche homered twice, doubled twice, and singled, driving in six runs as last-place Pittsburgh again prevented the visiting Dodgers from winning the NL West.
White Sox 6, Indians 1 - Gordon Beckham drove in three runs to help John Danks earn his first win in more than a month as visiting Chicago cruised past Cleveland.
Rays 7, Orioles 6 - In St. Petersburg, Fla., Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and pinch-hitter Willy Aybar had one of four Tampa Bay homers to extend Baltimore’s losing streak to 11 games.
Yankees 8, Royals 2 - Robinson Cano capped a five-run seventh inning with a grand slam as host New York won the opener of this three-game series. The start of the game was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 56 minutes.
Nationals 2, Mets 1 - Mike Morse homered for the third straight game and Ross Detwiler earned his first career win for host Washington.
The AL Central showdown was put on hold.
Steady rain postponed the opener of a crucial four-game series between the Tigers and Minnesota Twins in Detroit. The first-place Tigers lead the Twins by two games with seven to play.
The rainout will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader today. Minnesota first baseman Michael Cuddyer thought it was the right call.
“We didn’t want to start and then call it and start again,’’ Cuddyer said.
Tigers rookie Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.14 ERA) and Minnesota’s Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.18) were slated to pitch, but both were pushed back to the 12:05 p.m. game today. In the nightcap at 7:05 p.m., Detroit ace Justin Verlander (17-9, 3.41) and Brian Duensing (5-1, 3.33) will make their previously scheduled starts.
The Tigers might have caught a break with the postponement because Minnesota’s star catcher, Joe Mauer, could be relegated to designated hitter.
“I have a catcher I’d like to play all four games and he probably won’t,’’ Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’ll play the first game and we’ll see about the second.’’
