Rangers in playoffs, near AL West title after edging Angels

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The music was a little louder in the Texas clubhouse, and there was the faint smell of champagne.

Otherwise, the Rangers were still waiting on a bigger celebration -- for winning the AL West.

Texas clinched a wild-card spot and moved to the cusp of the division title, with Adrian Beltre's three-run double backing Derek Holland in a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.

"We had a toast, yes," first-year manager Jeff Banister said. "We still have a mission to accomplish. And something that as a group of players we all talked about in spring training, when nobody else was talking about it but us."

The Rangers, in the playoffs for the first time since 2012 after an AL-worst 95 losses last season, were a win or a Houston loss away Friday night from their first division title since winning two straight in 2010-11.

Beltre, who had the second-most RBIs in the majors in September with 29, broke a 1-all tie with a bases-clearing double off Andrew Heaney (6-4) in the fifth. Beltre scored an insurance run after a leadoff single in the seventh.

Holland (4-3), who missed most of the season with a left shoulder strain, allowed three hits and three runs in 6 1-3 innings for his first win since Sept. 5. The left-hander struck out six, including Kole Calhoun three times.

Sam Dyson pitched a perfect eighth with help from two strong defensive plays by Andrus, and closer Shawn Tolleson did the same in the ninth for his 35th save in 37 chances.

Albert Pujols hit his 39th home run off Holland in the sixth. He doubled and scored the first run in the second.

Yankees 4, Red Sox 1

NEW YORK -- New York clinched an AL wild-card spott, ending a two-year absence from the postseason.

Carlos Beltran and rookies Greg Bird and Rob Refsnyder all homered for the Yankees in the franchise's 10,000th regular-season win.

Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees open the playoffs with a winner-take-all game on Tuesday. Houston leads the race for the second AL wild-card spot.

New York had failed to reach the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since its 1982-93 drought.

CC Sabathia (6-10) won for the second time since the All-Star break. Dellin Betances got three outs for his ninth save in 13 chances.

Friday's game between the Yankees and Orioles waspostponed by rain. It will be made up as part of a split doubleheader today.

Hurricane Joaquin may have a say in that, as rain is expected in the area on Saturday.

Orioles 6, Blue Jays 4

BALTIMORE -- The AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays rested their regulars a day after clinching the division title, and Manny Machado homered twice for Baltimore.

Blue Jays ace David Price was scratched from his scheduled start. Drew Hutchison (13-5) took the loss.

Todd McFarland (1-2) got the win and Zach Britton posted his 35th save.

Twins 4, Indians 2

CLEVELAND -- Pinch-runner Eduardo Nunez scored from third base on a wild pitch and Torii Hunter hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning as Minnesota beat the Indians and moved a little closer to an AL wild-card spot.

Facing a crushing loss, the Twins scored a run in the eighth to tie it and then two unearned runs in the ninth off Cody Allen (2-5). Glen Perkins (3-5) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Kevin Jepsen worked the ninth for 15th save.

Royals 6, White Sox 4

CHICAGO -- Jonny Gomes drove in three runs and banged-up Kansas City moved into a tie with Toronto for the AL's best record.

The Royals were minus outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Rios, and designated hitter Kendrys Morales (left quad tightness) and catcher Salvador Perez (swelling in right thumb) each departed during the game. Cain was sidelined by a sore right knee, and Rios was scratched because of a stiff back.

Kris Medlen (6-2) pitched six innings of two-run ball.

Rays 4, Marlins 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Jake Odorizzi allowed one run over seven innings as Tampa Bay beat Jose Fernandez and Miami for a three-game sweep.

Odorizzi (9-9) scattered four hits, walked two and struck out seven. Brad Boxberger pitched the ninth for his 41st save.

Fernandez (6-1) gave up two runs, 11 hits and fanned nine in six innings.

Padres 3, Brewers 1

SAN DIEGO -- Ian Kennedy struck out 11 in what was likely his final start with San Diego.

The Padres underachieved this year, extending their postseason drought to nine seasons despite a roster overhaul that included adding stars such as Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Derek Norris and James Shields. San Diego will finish with a losing record for the fifth straight season.

Kennedy (9-15) is eligible to become a free agent. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 39th save.

Sports on 10/03/2015

Upcoming Events