AMERICAN LEAGUE
A’s 8, Twins 3
Oakland wins series 3-0
What happened Friday: Milton Bradley homered and Oakland broke the game open with a four-run seventh, snapping a stretch of nine straight losses in potential playoff clinchers. The A’s also offered Frank Thomas a two-year deal Thursday, but Thomas, 5-for-10 in this series with a pair of homers, said Friday “we’re still a long way away.” He made $2.6 million, thanks to incentives, in 2006.
What’s next: A’s await winner of Tigers-Yankees for ALCS.
Tigers 6, Yankees 0
Detroit leads series 2-1
What happened Friday: Gary Sheffield (1-for-8 in series, .176 lifetime vs. Kenny Rogers) was benched in favor of Bernie Williams (.353, 2 HRs vs. Rogers). Alex Rodriguez hit fourth despite a .125 average in his last 11 postseason games. Why? He was 10-for-19 lifetime vs. Rogers with five HRs. But Rogers still coasted, yielding just five hits in 7 2/3 innings.
What’s next: Game 4, 3 p.m. Saturday in Detroit. Jaret Wright vs. Jeremy Bonderman, WLFD-Ch. 32.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Mets vs. Dodgers
New York leads series 2-0
What’s happened so far: Mets have shut down the top two in the Dodgers’ order. Leadoff man Rafael Furcal is 1-for-7 with two walks. No. 2 hitter Kenny Lofton is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts.
What’s next: Game 3, 6:30 p.m. Saturday in L.A. Steve Trachsel vs. Greg Maddux, WFLD-Ch. 32. Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra has a torn left quadriceps, may be out for the postseason. Dodgers were the first team to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a five-game series (vs. Astros on way to 1981 World Series title).
Cardinals vs. Padres
St. Louis leads series 2-0
What’s happened so far: The Padres have pitched to Albert Pujols, and he’s 5-for-8 with two go-ahead hits.
What’s next: Game 3, noon Saturday in St. Louis. Jeff Suppan vs. Chris Young, ESPN2. Young is undefeated on the road (6-0). The Padres roughed up Suppan for five runs in 3 2/3 innings on Sept. 25. Padres SS Khalil Greene, out since Aug. 17 due to a torn ligament in his left middle finger, could start.
