The Detroit Tigers clinched the American League Central Friday with a 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics, capturing their first division title since 1987. The Tigers (88-63) became the first team to win their division this season and joined the Philadelphia Phillies in the postseason. The Phillies, who have already claimed at least a wild card spot, failed to seal the National League East title after losing 4-2 to St. Louis. “It's awesome, it feels awesome,” said Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera. “We've done something for Detroit, for our owner, and I'm happy. We got a long way to go right now. We have to keep winning and try to be ready for the playoffs.” In Boston, Mike Aviles hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to lift the Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston extended its lead over the Rays in the AL wild card race to four games, while the LA Angels dropped five behind with an 8-3 loss to Baltimore. Orioles 8, LA Angels 3: The Los Angeles Angels' playoff push was slowed when Tommy Hunter pitched seven shutout innings for the Baltimore Orioles in an 8-3 victory. Mark Reynolds and Nolan Reimold homered for the Orioles. Baltimore took two of three from wild-card hopeful Rays before easily handling the Angels, who had won eight of 11 coming in. Blue Jays 5, Yankees 4: Mariano Rivera remained on hold at 600 saves when CC Sabathia failed to hold a fifth-inning lead and Jose Molina's single in the ninth lifted the Toronto Blue Jays over the New York Yankees. Red Sox 4, Rays 3: Trade-deadline pickup Mike Aviles broke a fourth-inning tie with his first homer since joining the Red Sox and Boston beat Tampa Bay to hold off the charging Rays and extend its lead in the AL wild-card race to four games. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 30th save — his first since Aug. 18 — striking out Evan Longoria with a runner on second to end the game. Indians 7, Twins 6: Jim Thome hit home run No. 603 in his return to Minnesota, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Twins to keep the Detroit Tigers from clinching the AL Central title. Royals 7, White Sox 6: Eric Hosmer had three hits and doubled in the winning run in the ninth inning to lift Kansas City to a victory over the Chicago White Sox that extended the Royals' winning streak to six games. In another game,Seattle mariners downed Texas Rangers 4-0.
