Baseball roundup Saturday’s games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

White Sox 5, Tigers 1

DETROIT — The AL Central has come down to the final day. The Detroit Tigers dropped into a first-place tie with Minnesota, looking listless in a loss to Freddy Garcia. Tigers manager Jim Leyland made two pitching changes in the second inning, trying to find a way to end his team’s slump. Instead, Detroit lost for the fifth time in seven games. Earlier in the day, the Twins beat Kansas City 5-4, leaving them even with the Tigers at 85-76.

Twins 5, Royals 4

MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. Joe Mauer delivered his biggest hit in an MVP-caliber season, a two-out single off Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke that broke a scoreless tie in the sixth. The Twins took a 4-0 lead before the Royals rallied to tie it. Cuddyer hit his 31st homer of the season off Dusty Hughes (0-2).

Angels 4, Athletics 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Scott Kazmir pitched five scoreless innings, Robb Quinlan drove in three runs. Kazmir (10-9) gave up three hits in his final playoff tuneup. Brian Fuentes pitched a scoreless ninth for his major league-leading 48th save.

Rays 5, Yankees 3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Slumping Dioner Navarro hit a two-run homer and rookie Jeff Niemann pitched five solid innings to win for the first time in more than a month. Navarro, who has just four hits in his last 33 at-bats, homered off Andy Pettitte (14-8).

Orioles 6, Blue Jays 3

BALTIMORE — Mark Hendrickson won his first start since April, Jeff Fiorentino drove in two runs and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays for their third straight victory. The victory assured the Orioles of avoiding the third 100-loss season in club history.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Marlins 4, Phillies 3

PHILADELPHIA — Anibal Sanchez pitched seven strong innings to lead the Marlins to a win over the Phillies, who still clinched home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs with St. Louis’ loss. The Phillies have lost three straight since clinching their third consecutive NL East title. The Phillies could have clinched home field with wins in their final two games and two losses by Los Angeles. Philadelphia, the defending World Series champion, went 7-0 at home in the playoffs last season and will host the opening game Wednesday. Cole Hamels (10-11), last season’s World Series MVP, allowed three runs and three hits while walking two and striking out two in three innings. Ryan Howard hit his 45th home run for the Phillies. Sanchez (4-8) kept Philadelphia’s prolific offense quiet, allowing one run and five hits. Leo Nunez got his 26th save.

Brewers 5, Cardinals 4

ST. LOUIS — Ryan Braun reached 200 hits for the first time on a two-run homer in the first inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals to ensure the NL Central champions will open the postseason on the road. Kyle Lohse (6-10) worked six innings in his final bid to make the St. Louis postseason rotation, allowing five runs but only two earned. The Cardinals will pick between 42-year-old John Smoltz and Lohse for their fourth starting spot in the playoffs. Carlos Villanueva (4-10) won his first game as a starter in six attempts. Trevor Hoffman worked the ninth for his 37th save in 40 chances.

Nationals 6, Braves 4, 11 innings

ATLANTA — Justin Maxwell hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves for their sixth straight victory. The Nationals, who have the worst record in the majors at 58-103, sent the Braves to their fifth loss in a row. After both teams scored two runs in the 10th, Maxwell homered off Manny Acosta (1-1). Zack Segovia (1-0) won despite giving up two runs in the 10th. Logan Kensing got his first save.

Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 0

CHICAGO — Randy Wells allowed three hits in seven strong innings and struck out a career-high 10, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wells (12-10) gave up a leadoff double to Stephen Drew and then retired 14 straight before Eric Byrnes hit a two-out single in the fifth. Wells’ 12 wins are the most by a Cubs rookie since Kerry Wood had 13 in 1998. Chicago broke a scoreless tie with three runs off Daniel Cabrera (0-6) in the fourth.

Mets 5, Astros 1

NEW YORK — Pat Misch pitched five solid innings before his outing was cut short by a long rain delay and the New York Mets beat the Houston Astros. Fernando Tatis had two hits and two RBIs for New York, which scored all of its runs with two outs. Misch (3-4) allowed one run and five hits to close his season with consecutive wins, raising his career record to 3-11 in 60 games. Francisco Rodriguez got one out for his 35th save in 42 opportunities. Rookie Yorman Bazardo (1-3) took the loss. Houston’s Miguel Tejada extended his hitting streak to 20 games.

Associated Press