MLB ROUNDUP Friday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 11, Twins 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Carlos Pena homered and drove in four runs — with help from a replay reversal — and Tampa Bay closed in on clinching the first playoff berth in franchise history. The AL East leaders moved within one win of wrapping up at least a wild-card spot, with Pena’s fourth-inning homer coming on the first reversal produced by baseball’s instant replay system. It was originally ruled a double before umpires went to the video. The Rays can earn a postseason berth for the first time in their 11 seasons by winning one of two remaining games in this series against Minnesota, which fell 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. Edwin Jackson (12-11) allowed one run and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings. Evan Longoria drove in three runs for Tampa Bay.

Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 3

TORONTO — Jason Varitek drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Boston opened a 7 1/2-game lead in the wild-card race over Minnesota and the New York Yankees. A win by the Red Sox today combined with losses by the Twins and Yankees would wrap up at least the wild-card spot for Boston. Manny Delcarmen (1-2) pitched one inning for the win and Jonathan Papelbon worked around his own error in the ninth to earn his 39th save in 44 opportunities.

White Sox 9, Royals 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alexei Ramirez hit a grand slam, Dewayne Wise homered twice and Mark Buehrle pitched six effective innings as Chicago beat Kansas City. The loss snapped the Royals’ seven-game winning streak, their longest since starting the 2003 season 9-0. The White Sox sent 10 batters to the plate in a six-run fourth inning, scoring all the runs with two outs. Jermaine Dye doubled, Jim Thome singled and A.J. Pierzynski walked before Ramirez tied an AL rookie record with his third grand slam. Shane Spencer hit three for the New York Yankees in 1998. It was Chicago’s 11th grand slam this season, tying the club record set in 2006. Thome hit his 33rd homer in the fifth off starter Brian Bannister (8-16).

Yankees 3, Orioles 2

NEW YORK — Brett Gardner made his bid for the last great catch at Yankee Stadium. The rookie center fielder robbed Luke Scott with a terrific grab and doubled in a run, sparking New York to a victory over Baltimore in the opener of the final series at the 85-year-old ballpark.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets 9, Braves 5

ATLANTA — Pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy delivered a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning and New York regained first place in the NL East. Jose Reyes hit a leadoff homer and had three hits to help the Mets move a half-game in front of Philadelphia. New York overcame some shaky defense and improved to 1-6 this season at Turner Field, where the Phillies went 9-0.

Marlins 14, Phillies 8

MIAMI — Rookie Cameron Maybin had four hits for the second straight game and tied a franchise record by reaching base in 10 consecutive plate appearances for Florida, which tied a franchise record with their ninth consecutive win.

Cardinals 12, Cubs 6

CHICAGO — Adam Kennedy capped a five-run first inning with a grand slam, and St. Louis beat Carlos Zambrano and Chicago, slowing the Cubs’ march toward a second straight NL Central title.

Reds 11, Brewers 2

CINCINNATI — Joey Votto and Jay Bruce both hit two homers and Cincinnati hit seven overall against Milwaukee’s tattered pitching staff.

Rockies 3, Diamondbacks 2

DENVER — Jorge De La Rosa threw six solid innings and Chris Iannetta and Clint Barmes homered for Colorado.

Associated Press