American League roundup

[October 01, 2009]  DETROIT (AP) -- Eddie Bonine settled down in time to move the Detroit Tigers to the brink of the AL Central title. He got a big assist from Magglio Ordonez.

Bonine lasted five innings after a shaky start, Ordonez hit a three-run double and the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Wednesday night to increase their division lead to three with four games left.

Detroit can clinch its first division title since 1987 with a victory in Thursday afternoon's series finale.

"You need everyone on your team to step up right now, and that's what happened tonight," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "Bonine was fantastic -- we got more from him than we could have asked -- and the offense gave us the runs he needed."

The Tigers finish the season with a three-game series at home against Chicago. Minnesota returns home to face Kansas City, including an expected matchup with AL Cy Young Award hopeful Zack Greinke.

"It doesn't look very good right now, but it isn't over yet," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Bonine (1-1), making his ninth career start, allowed two runs in the first but shut down the Twins for the rest of his outing. He gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out three.

"This is a great, great feeling," said Bonine, who earned his first major league win since June 27, 2008. "After the first, I just settled into a groove and tried to attack. The defense made plays and the guys got the big hits."

Ordonez's second key hit in consecutive days broke it open in the fifth. The Tigers loaded the bases with one out against Carl Pavano (13-12), who responded by getting Miguel Cabrera to pop up. Ordonez followed with a drive to center to clear the bases and give the Tigers a 7-2 lead.

"That was the killer blow," Leyland said. "Carl's been tough on us all year, and he had popped up Cabrera, so if he gets Magglio, it's a whole different ballgame."

Ordonez, who was booed by Tigers fans during a poor first half, also had a two-run double in Detroit's 6-5 victory Tuesday night that salvaged a split of a key day-night doubleheader.

"No one in this clubhouse has ever turned their back on Maggs," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "We know what he's done for this franchise, and we knew he was going to do even more."

Blue Jays 12, Red Sox 0

At Boston, Roy Halladay pitched a three-hitter for his second consecutive shutout and the Red Sox lost their sixth straight.

The Red Sox started only two regulars after clinching the AL wild card late Tuesday night.

Halladay (17-10) had a strong outing in what might be his last game for the Blue Jays. He has one year left on his contract and could be traded in the offseason, although he'd have to agree to a deal.

Tim Wakefield (11-5) left after three innings and fell to 7-1 at Fenway Park.

Indians 5, White Sox 1, 1st game

White Sox 1, Indians 0, 2nd game

At Cleveland, Mark Buehrle pitched six innings and Paul Konerko drove in the only run to help Chicago split a doubleheader as Eric Wedge's seven-year run as Indians manager ended.

Wedge's firing -- and the dismissal of his coaching staff -- was announced a few hours before the opener, won by the Indians 5-1. Despite being let go with six games left, Wedge wanted to finish what has been one of the most disappointing seasons in recent team history.

Royals 4, Yankees 3

At New York, Joba Chamberlain lasted just 3 2-3 innings in his final tuneup for the postseason and was booed by fans at Yankee Stadium.

Kansas City broke a seventh-inning tie when Mark Teahen walked against Damaso Marte (1-3) and John Buck tripled off Sergio Mitre.

Jamey Wright (3-5) pitched two innings for the win in relief off Robinson Tejeda, and Joakim Soria got three outs for his 30th save in 33 chances, stopping the Yankees' seven-game winning streak.

Angels 5, Rangers 0

At Anaheim, Calif., Matt Palmer (11-2) combined with four relievers on a one-hitter and the Angels won their fourth straight while tying a club record for most runs in a season with 866.

It was the sixth combined one-hitter in Angels history and the first since July 24, 2004, also at home against the Rangers.

Texas' Derek Holland (8-13) gave up four runs over 6 1-3 innings.

Rays 5, Orioles 3

At St. Petersburg, Fla., James Shields carried a shutout into the eighth inning, Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer and Tampa Bay extended Baltimore's losing streak to 13 games.

Baltimore can tie the second-longest skid in franchise history set in August 1954 with a loss in the series finale against on Thursday night.

Shields (11-12) allowed three runs and six hits over eight innings for the Rays (82-76), who guaranteed their second-ever winning season.

David Hernandez (4-10) gave up five runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings for the Orioles.

Mariners 7, Athletics 0

At Seattle, Ken Griffey Jr. hit a three-run homer and Brandon Morrow allowed one hit over eight impressive innings for the Mariners.

Griffey's 629th career homer came in the first inning off Clayton Mortensen (2-4), who was chased with no outs in the second.

Morrow (2-4) yielded only an infield single to Rajai Davis in the fourth and threw 105 pitches in the longest start of his career. He also set a career high with nine strikeouts.

[Associated Press]

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