MLB ROUNDUP \ Saturday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 7, Twins 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays kept things simple, clinching the first playoff berth in franchise history on their own. Carlos Pena hit a two-run double and Scott Kazmir rebounded from the worst start of his career to pitch six scoreless innings, helping the AL East leaders wrap up at least a wild-card spot with a 7-2 victory over Minnesota. Cliff Floyd and Fernando Perez capped the biggest win in the club’s 11 seasons with solo home runs.

Blue Jays 6, Red Sox 3

TORONTO — Roy Halladay worked six innings to earn his 19th win, Scott Rolen homered and the Blue Jays kept their faint playoff hopes alive. Toronto pulled within 71‚Ñ2 games of Boston in the wild-card race. The Blue Jays have seven games remaining, and the Red Sox have eight. Jason Bay hit a two-run homer on his 30th birthday for the Red Sox.

Yankees 1, Orioles 0

NEW YORK — Robinson Cano hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Yankees staved off postseason elimination. Playing what is likely to be the penultimate game at Yankee Stadium, New York got a perfect inning from Mariano Rivera (6-5) and a fine start by impressive rookie Alfredo Aceves.

Athletics 8, Mariners 7

OAKLAND, Calif. — Daric Barton hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning and the Athletics handed the Mariners their season-worst 10th straight loss.

Royals 5, White Sox 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kyle Davies gave up three hits in seven-plus innings. David DeJesus hit an inside-the-park home run, and Alex Gordon and Kila Ka’aihue also homered for the Royals, who won for the eighth time in nine games.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cubs 5, Cardinals 4

CHICAGO — The Cubbies are in. Now, how far can they go? The Chicago Cubs clinched their second straight NL Central title, beating St. Louis behind Ted Lilly’s seven innings at rocking Wrigley Field. The 41,597 fans jammed into the old neighborhood ballpark were ready to party as they watched the Cubs earn back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since they participated in three straight World Series from 1906-08. And no one can forget 1908. That’s the last time the Cubs won the World Series, a 100-year championship drought they’ve been hearing about since they were swept out of the playoffs in the first round a year ago by Arizona.

Reds 4, Brewers 3

CINCINNATI — Not even prized acquisition CC Sabathia could keep Milwaukee in contention for the NL Central title. The wild-card race is looking pretty grim now, too. Pitcher Micah Owings had a pinch-hit single off Sabathia with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and Cincinnati held on for the win. Milwaukee has lost 15 of 19 this month, blowing a 51‚Ñ2-game lead in the wild-card race. The Brewers started the day two games behind Philadelphia for the playoff spot. Rookie Johnny Cueto (9-13) got his first victory in three starts since returning from a sore elbow. Francisco Cordero gave up a solo homer to Rickie Weeks in the ninth while improving to 32-of-38 in save chances. Sabathia (9-2) gave up four runs, one earned, and seven hits in 52‚Ñ3 innings.

Associated Press