Baseball Roundup \ Thursday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Twins 8, Tigers 3

DETROIT — The AL Central is still up for grabs. Scott Baker got plenty of run support and pitched the Minnesota Twins to a testy victory over Detroit, preventing the Tigers from clinching their first division title in 22 years. Minnesota avoided elimination from the playoff race and moved within two games of the first-place Tigers with three to play. Tempers flared late in the game.m Detroit manager Jim Leyland was ejected during a face-to-face argument with umpire Angel Hernandez in the eighth inning after Minnesota’s Jose Mijares threw behind Adam Everett. Both benches and bullpens emptied in the ninth after Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman plunked Delmon Young in the leg.

Rangers 11, Angels 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Chris Davis homered and drove in three runs, Julio Borbon triggered a six-run sixth inning with a go-ahead RBI single and Texas beat the playoff-bound Los Angeles Angels. Kevin Millwood (13-10) recorded his 20th career complete game and third this season.

Orioles 3, Rays 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Chris Waters allowed one run over five innings in his first start of the season and Baltimore stopped a 13-game losing streak. The skid was the longest in the majors this season and the third-worst in Orioles history.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Rockies 9, Brewers 2

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. Aaron Cook pitched four-hit ball over eight spectacular innings in his second start since missing a month with a sore shoulder, and Garrett Atkins drove in three runs. The Rockies’ fourth straight victory eliminated Atlanta, their final pursuer, from contention for the NL wild card. Colorado can still catch the Dodgers for the NL West title if the Rockies sweep a weekend series in Los Angeles.

Cardinals 13, Reds 0

CINCINNATI — Ace pitcher Chris Carpenter hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, getting St. Louis back on track with his arm and bat in a rout of Cincinnati. Carpenter’s first career homer came off Kip Wells (2-5) and capped a five-run second inning for the Cardinals, who had lost five of six — including three straight since clinching the NL Central title Saturday.

Giants 7, Diamondbacks 3

SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum struck out seven in his final start of the season, Andres Torres homered and hit an RBI triple and San Francisco finished its home schedule with a victory over Arizona. Lincecum (15-7) outpitched Dan Haren (14-10) in a matchup of aces. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner completed his season with 261 strikeouts and a 2.48 ERA.

Associated Press