Prince Fielder blasted a two-run homer off T.J. Beam in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Brewers rallied to defeat the Pirates 7-5 to remain one game behind the Mets for the NL wild-card spot.
Alberto Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs as the Nationals ended the Marlins’ playoff dreams with a 9-4 victory. Washington was just 2-13 against Florida going into Tuesday.
Hank Blalock hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning off Alan Embree as the Rangers defeated the Athletics 6-4 to snap a five-game losing streak and move back into second in the AL West.
THREE DOWN
The Yankees’ run of consecutive years in the postseason officially ended at 13 years when the Red Sox defeated the Indians 5-4. New York can finish no higher than third place behind Tampa Bay and Boston.
Veteran lefty Randy Johnson allowed four runs in the first inning in what was a must-win game, setting the tone for a 7-4 loss to the Cardinals. Arizona fell three games behind the Dodgers, who routed the Padres 10-1.
The Tigers lost for the 11th time in 12 games and fell a percentage point back of the Royals for last place in the AL Central after a 5-0 loss. Manager Jim Leyland blamed himself for the subpar season: “I stunk.”
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
