MLB ROUNDUP \ Saturday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Royals 4, Twins 2

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins fell flat again, forcing themselves into another white-knuckle night of keeping tabs on the Chicago White Sox as the AL Central race that nobody has taken charge of crawls to a finish. Ryan Shealy blooped a two-run single over a drawn-in infield for the lead in the seventh inning, and the surging Royals handed the suddenly sputtering Twins a second straight defeat. The Twins remain a half-game ahead of Chicago, which lost 12-6 to Cleveland.

Mariners 7, Athletics 3

SEATTLE — Kenji Johjima hit a three-run homer during a six-run first inning. Ryan Rowland-Smith (5-3) gave up three runs and nine hits in 62‚Ñ3 innings for the Mariners. Sean Green allowed one hit over the final 21‚Ñ3 innings for his first career save. The Mariners loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. After Oakland starter Greg Smith walked in a run, Wladimir Balentien doubled to left-center field to score two runs. Johjima followed with his drive over the left-field wall to make it 6-0.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 4, Nationals 3

PHILADELPHIA — Jimmy Rollins made a sliding stop with the bases loaded to start a game-ending double play, and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their second consecutive NL East title. Rollins went to his knees to snare Ryan Zimmerman’s sharp grounder. He made a flip to second base with his glove and rejoiced when Chase Utley’s relay throw completed the double play. Brad Lidge barely escaped the ninth, getting help from Rollins at shortstop to earn his 41st save in 41 tries. Players rushed the field after Rollins’ sensational play and everyone piled on near second base, beginning the party. Jamie Moyer (16-7) allowed one run and six hits in six innings, matching Hall of Famer Phil Niekro for most wins by a pitcher 45 or older. Niekro, a knuckleballer, had 16 wins at 45 and 46 while pitching for the New York Yankees in 1984-85.

Mets 2, Marlins 0

NEW YORK — Johan Santana pitched a three-hitter on short rest, leading the Mets to a victory over Florida and a tie in the NL wild-card race. Santana (16-7) gave the Mets just their third win in eight games and, coupled with the Brewers’ loss to the Cubs, a chance to reach the postseason. New York and Milwaukee are tied for the wild card, though the Mets were eliminated from the NL East when the Phillies won. Only once before had Santana pitched on three days’ rest, and that was in the 2004 AL playoffs. He needed a career-high 125 pitches in his last outing, and he threw 117 in keeping the Mets’ shaky relievers in the bullpen.

Cubs 7, Brewers 3

MILWAUKEE — Ben Sheets was roughed up in his return from an injury, and the Brewers fell back into a tie with the Mets for the NL wild card with one game left in the season. Sheets (13-9) tried to put aside nagging elbow soreness to make his first start since Sept. 17, but gave up four runs in only 21‚Ñ3 innings against the Cubs. Milwaukee’s lineup couldn’t manage much of anything against Ted Lilly (17-9), who held the Brewers hitless until Ryan Braun led off the seventh with a double. Now the Brewers go into the final game of the season tied with the New York Mets for the wild card. Milwaukee’s CC Sabathia is expected to face right-hander Angel Guzman.

Associated Press