Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning and had five RBIs as the Yankees became the final team to secure an AL playoff berth with a 12-4 win over the Devil Rays. The Yankees still have a chance for the AL East crown, but Boston’s magic number is 2.
The Rangers’ Michael Young reached 200 hits for the fifth consecutive season, joining Wade Boggs and Ichiro Suzuki as the only players since 1940 to achieve the feat. Young’s 200th hit was an RBI single in the seventh inning of the Rangers’ 16-2 win over the Angels.
Journeyman Kyle Lohse, a former Cubs prospect, pitched seven solid innings, scattering six hits and two runs with five strikeouts as the Phillies moved within 1 game of the Mets in the NL East with a 5-2 win over the Braves. Lohse entered the game with a 5.05 ERA.
THREE DOWN
The Mets continued their collapse as they blew a 5-0 lead in a 9-6 loss to the Nationals, and their NL East lead shrunk to 1 game over the Phillies. Rookie Phil Humber pitched well for four innings, but allowed the first three men to reach in the fifth before leaving.
Orioles starter Victor Zambrano did not survive the first inning in an 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old righty allowed eight earned runs on four hits, three walks and a hit batter in two-thirds of an inning. Zambrano faced 10 batters and threw 36 pitches.
The Diamondbacks lost their second straight in Pittsburgh, 5-1. Arizona’s NL West lead was in danger of shrinking as both the Padres and Rockies led their games late Wednesday. San Diego entered the night 2 games out and Colorado 3.
