They are half a game clear of the Baltimore Orioles, who were swept by the in-form Red Sox after a 5-3 loss.
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Once upon a time, the Boston Red Sox had serious concerns about their starting rotation. Detroit is one game behind Baltimore for the second AL wild-card slot.
Now, the person who is in charge of planning for the Yankees may want to start digging out some old Orioles highlights, just in case.
After Mancini went the other way on a Price changeup – the same pitch he hit into the left-field stands two innings earlier – for a stand-up double down the right-field line, the Orioles were unable to score the tying run. The Red Sox have won each of his last nine starts since August 7.
Koji Uehara took care of the eighth inning, and Craig Kimbrel earned his 29th save with a ideal ninth.
Ortiz laughed when he received the phone from Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, one of his closest friends in baseball.
The Red Sox swept the Yankees and now came into the game last night to sweep the Orioles as well.
The Orioles also made a $10,000 donation in Ortiz’s name to the World Pediatric Project to help critically ill children in the Dominican Republic.
The smashed phone was well-recieved by baseball fans on social media, and Ortiz can add it to the list of odd gifts he’s received throughout the year. Jones kiddingly gestured to the slugger that he’d forgotten his gift.
The only blemish on Anderson’s record was a solo home run by Francisco Cervelli in the fifth inning – his first since September 30 of last season. Nolasco also twirled a shutout against the Reds on August 31 and has surrendered seven runs over his last 35 innings covering five starts. He gave up three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The Tigers enjoyed two wins over the Minnesota Twins, claiming the opener of the double-header 9-2 before a 4-2 victory. Francisco Rodriguez got three outs for his 44th save in 48 chances. The Orioles, who often live off power, have scored just five runs in three games.
Upton hit a tiebreaking homer off Alex Wimmers (1-3) in the seventh for a 2-1 lead.
David Price struck out five and walked two in seven strong innings for the Red Sox.
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The Angels ended an 11-game skid and dropped the Astros 1 1/2 games behind Detroit for the second wild card. Starling Marte started for the Pirates run but left after reinjuring his back.
