American League roundup

[October 02, 2009]  DETROIT (AP) -- The AL Central showdown in Motown concluded one thing: Detroit's got work to do.

The Tigers had a chance to clinch their first division title since 1987 on Thursday, but the pesky Minnesota Twins refused to concede.

Scott Baker didn't give up an earned run and got more than enough run support in Minnesota's 8-3 win at Detroit, giving baseball a race to watch during the final weekend of the season.

"It would have been nice if we could've done it," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Thursday. "We didn't do what we wanted to, but you keep playing, and (Friday) is the most important game of the season."

Detroit will start 13-game winner Edwin Jackson Friday night at home against the Chicago White Sox and 2007 NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, who pitched seven scoreless innings last week in a win over the Tigers to show some promise after spending three months on the disabled list with an ankle injury.

"Is he all the way back? I can't answer that, but he was awfully good against us in Chicago," Leyland said. "Out of respect for the game, I know Ozzie (Guillen) and his guys are going to come here and try to kick our fannies. Certainly, Kansas City is going to Minnesota and try to do the same thing.

"It's the responsibility of the Twins and the Tigers to take care of their own business."

Minnesota will start Jeff Manship (0-1) on Friday night against Lenny DiNardo (0-2) and the Royals, who will send ace Zack Greinke to the mound on Saturday afternoon.

"We're going to the Dome for the last weekend, and we've still got a shot," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

If Detroit beats the Chicago White Sox twice in a three-game series at home, it would win the division.

If the Tigers can't do that, they'll need some help from the last-place Royals as Minnesota celebrates its final scheduled baseball series at the Metrodome.

"This weekend was already going to be crazy with closing the Dome and all the former players coming back, but now it is going to be even better," Twins outfielder Denard Span said. "We can sweep the Royals and see what happens."

History will be made if Minnesota beats the Royals three times, no easy feat with ace Zack Greinke slated to start Saturday, and the Tigers lose two or more games against the White Sox.

No major league team has remained in first place from May 10 -- or sooner -- until losing the division title in the last week of a season.

"We controlled our own destiny and we had a chance to clinch it out, but you have to give them credit," Detroit catcher Gerald Laird said. "We're still two games up with three to play, and we're in the driver's seat. We just have to play good baseball like we have at home, take it to the White Sox and we'll be celebrating."

Rangers 11, Angels 3

At Anaheim, Calif., Chris Davis homered and drove in three runs and Julio Borbon triggered a six-run sixth inning with a go-ahead RBI single.

Kevin Millwood (13-10) recorded his 20th career complete game and third this season. He gave up two earned runs and seven hits in his season finale, tying a season best with 10 strikeouts. He also threw a season-high 122 pitches.

Red Sox 3, Indians 0

At Boston, Jon Lester showed no ill effects from his injury last week and was splendid in a final tuneup for the playoffs, pitching into the seventh inning as the Red Sox handed the Indians their club record-tying 12th straight road loss.

Boston snapped its season-worst six-game skid.

Lester (15-8) gave up just two hits, walked one and struck out seven in 6 1-3 innings.

Orioles 3, Rays 2

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Chris Waters allowed one run over five innings in his first start of the season and Baltimore stopped a 13-game losing streak.

The skid was the longest in the majors this season and the third-worst in Orioles history. Baltimore dropped 14 consecutive games in August 1954 and opened the 1988 season by losing 21 straight.

Mariners 4, Athletics 2

At Seattle, Mike Sweeney followed a two-out error by Adam Kennedy with a tiebreaking two-run single in the fifth inning, and Seattle beat Oakland for the 14th time in 19 games this season.

Doug Fister (3-4) went seven innings, allowing five hits and a run for his first win since Sept. 1.

Associated Press; By LARRY LAGE]

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