The Tampa Bay Rays are making believers out of the Boston Red Sox.
The AL East-leading Rays beat the Red Sox 10-3 Wednesday night, moving closer to their first playoff berth with another “star-less” effort that’s become their signature. The victory moved Tampa Bay two games in front of Boston in the division.
“They’re not the team we’re used to playing. They’re very, very good,” Boston starter Tim Wakefield said. “They’re not a team to take for granted right now.”
Tampa Bay, which had never won more than 70 games in a season before this year, can clinch at least a wild-card playoff berth by beating Minnesota twice during a four-game series that begins here Thursday.
“They’re good,” said Boston’s David Ortiz, who hit two homers in the loss. “They’re playing like they have nothing to lose, and that’s dangerous.”
12 Washington Senators, 1914 Boston Braves, 1956 Cincinnati Reds, 1979 Montreal Expos and 2006 Detroit Tigers.
In other AL games on Tuesday night, it was New York 5, Chicago 1; Cleveland 6, Minnesota 4; Toronto 8, Baltimore 7; Kansas City 5, Seattle 2; Detroit 17, Texas 4; and Oakland 3, Los Angeles 2.
The Red Sox, who lost four of six to Tampa Bay over the past 10 days, dropped a road series for the first time since being swept by the Los Angeles Angels on July 18-20. Their eight losses to the Rays at Tropicana Field are the most they’ve had in a season road series since they went 1-8 at Yankee Stadium in 2001.
Although the Rays could clinch a playoff spot as early as this weekend, manager Joe Maddon doesn’t want his young team to be satisfied with that.
“Our focus has always been the to win the East. … Regardless of what happens over the next couple of days, I want our focus to be that,” Maddon said. “At the end of this regular season, it’s about moving forward with home-field advantage. You look at our record at home, and we want to play as many games as possible here.”
Yankees 5, White Sox 1
At New York, Alex Rodriguez became the first player with 35 homers and 100 RBIs in 12 seasons – one more than Babe Ruth – and the Yankees slowed the White Sox’s pursuit of the AL Central crown.
mon hit a two-run homer, Robinson Cano had three hits and Xavier Nady had a tying RBI single in the seventh inning.
Jermaine Dye had an RBI groundout off Phil Hughes, who was making his first start since April 29. That was all the White Sox could muster against Hughes and four relievers.
Hughes’ return to the mound was cut short after just four innings. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up a run and four hits. Brian Bruney (3-0) came on with a runner on second in the seventh and got three straight outs. Joba Chamberlain worked the eighth before Edwar Ramirez got the final three outs.
Clayton Richard (2-5) allowed two runs and five hits in 6 2-3 innings for Chicago.
Indians 6, Twins 4
At Cleveland, Cliff Lee was denied his 23rd win and finished with a no-decision against Minnesota – the only AL team to beat him – and the Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Twins, another gnawing loss for the Central’s second-place team.
Jhonny Peralta and Victor Martinez hit RBI doubles in the seventh inning off Matt Guerrier as the Indians prevented the Twins from gaining ground on Chicago.
Lee took a 4-2 lead into the seventh and was poised to improve his record to 23-2 – only the second pitcher to own that record in 108 years – when the Twins tied it.
l’s error and Joe Mauer doubled. Casilla scored on Justin Morneau’s groundout, and Lee got two strikes on Delmon Young before he grounded an outside pitch to right to even it 4-all. Edward Mujica (2-2) finished the seventh for the Indians. Jose Mijares (0-1) took the loss for the Twins.
Blue Jays 8, Orioles 7
At Toronto, Travis Snider drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and the Blue Jays rallied to beat Baltimore.
Scott Rolen led off the eighth with a double against Kam Mickolio (0-1) and advanced on Curtis Thigpen’s sacrifice. Snider followed with a flyball to left to give Toronto an 8-7 lead.
Jesse Carlson (7-1) retired the only batter he faced to earn the win, and B.J. Ryan got three outs for his 30th save in 34 opportunities.
Royals 5, Mariners 2
At Kansas City, Mo., Jose Guillen hit a key two-run single after being sick the night before, helping the Royals to their sixth straight win.
Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki was 3-for-3 to reach 200 hits for the eighth consecutive season, matching Willie Keeler’s major league record.
Gil Meche (12-11) pitched seven effective innings for the win. Roy Corcoran (5-2) lost.
Tigers 17, Rangers 4
ine runs in the fifth inning to snap a six-game losing streak.
Garcia (1-0) allowed an unearned run and two hits. He signed a minor league contract last month, more than a year after his season ended for Philadelphia because of an injured shoulder.
Dustin Nippert (3-5) allowed five runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings.
Athletics 3, Angels 2
At Oakland, Calif., the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels made two throwing errors in the ninth inning, the second by closer Francisco Rodriguez that allowed Oakland’s Daric Barton and Jack Hannahan to score in the Athletics’ victory.
Rodriguez, who recently set the major league mark with his 58th save, blew a chance for the seventh time. The A’s won four straight games for the first time since June 13-17.
Brad Ziegler (2-0) earned the win despite giving up Mark Teixeira’s two-run homer in top of the ninth. It was Ziegler’s first blown save in 10 chances since taking over for Huston Street.
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