Associated Press
BALTIMORE — The New York Yankees have overcome one injury after another this season to make a serious run at a postseason berth, so it wasn’t all that surprising that they won again after losing shortstop Derek Jeter for the rest of the year.
Is there any obstacle this team can’t overcome?
Robinson Cano hit a tiebreaking homer leading off the ninth inning, and New York also got solo shots from Alex Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson in a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
The Yankees moved past Baltimore and Cleveland and got closer to Tampa Bay in the AL wild-card hunt. New York has hit eight home runs in winning two of three in the four-game series that concludes Thursday night.
“That what you ask for,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We have to continue to play well.”
Before the game, the Yankees announced that Jeter would miss the rest of the season with an injured left ankle. The Yankees captain played in only 17 games this season and made four trips to the disabled list.
Once it became official that Jeter was lost, the team lamented his bad luck a nd got back to the business of earning another playoff berth.
“This group fights,” Girardi said. “They’re continuing to fight.”
New York trailed 4-1 on Tuesday before rallying to win. In this one, Baltimore led 3-1 before Granderson homered in the fifth — New York’s first hit — and Rodriguez tied it in the sixth with his 653rd career home run.
In the ninth, after Cano connected off Tommy Hunter (4-4), Granderson tripled with one out and scored on an infield hit by Lyle Overbay.
“We get down tonight and come back again,” Girardi said. “We were able to take the lead in the ninth. We get a huge homer by Robbie and then a huge hit by Lyle that winds up being a lot bigger.”
David Robertson (5-1) worked the eighth and Mari ano Rivera gave up a run-scoring single to Brian Roberts before securing his 43rd save, tied for the major league lead with Baltimore’s Jim Johnson.
Jeter’s trip to the DL coincided with the arrival of shortstop Brendan Ryan, obtained one night earlier in a trade with Seattle. Although Ryan went hitless, he performed flawlessly and showed good range in the field.
Each team has won nine games this year. The series winner will be determined Thur sday night.
“We play this team so evenly, it’s unbelievable,” Girardi said.
Orioles slugger Chris Davis drove in two runs with a double, making him the first player in team history to have 40 doubles and 40 homers in a season. Danny Valencia tied a career high with four hits, and Roberts had three singles.
Baltimore outhit New York 13-6, but lost a valuable chance to close in on Tampa Bay for the second and final AL wild-card spot.
“We control our own destiny, we control our situation,” Orioles center fielder Adam Jones said. “The rest of the way we’re playing against teams that are in the same situation as us, so we’ve got to play better baseball. Th at’s the cool part. We’ve just got to play a little bit better.”
Yankees starter Andy Pettitte gave up three runs and nine hits over 6 1-3 innings. The 41-year-old lefty has made 13 straight starts since September 2007 against Baltimore without losing, going 8-0 over that stretch. Pettitte has lost only twice to the Orioles since 2002 and is 28-6 lifetime against them.
Pettitte has pitched at least six innings in each of his last six starts and is 3-0 in seven outings since Aug. 5.
“It was a great game for us,” Pettite said. “The bullpen came in and obviously did a great job. There were some big hits for us. It was a good win, that’s for sure.”
Baltimore’s Scott Feldman allowed only three hits in 7 2-3 innings, two of them homers. The right-hander struck out six and walked two. His first walk came against the first batter of the game and the second was to the last batter he faced.
New York got a first-inning run when leadoff hitter Brett Gardner walked, stole second and scored on two groundouts.
The Orioles took a 2-1 lead in the third. Roberts and Manny Machado singled with two outs before Davis lined a two-run double through the shift into right-field.
Doubles by Valencia and J.J. Hardy made it 3-1 in the fourth, but Baltimore stranded runners at the corners.
RED SOX 7, RAYS 3
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mike Carp connected for a pinch-hit grand slam in the 10th inning and AL East-leading Boston beat Tampa Bay 7-3 on Wednesday night.
Carp sent a drive over the center-field fence on the first pitch from Roberto Hernandez. It was the first pinch-hit grand slam for Boston since Kevin Millar hit one at Milwaukee on June 7, 2003.
Dustin Pedroia opened the 10th with a walk against Joel Peralta (2-7) and went to second on Shane Victorino’s bunt. After David Ortiz was intentionally walked, Hernandez replaced Peralta and walked Mike Napoli on four pitches before Carp connected for his ninth homer.
Boston closer Koji Uehara (4-0) struck out two during a perfect ninth. He has retired his last 34 batters.
James Loney homered for the Rays, who trail the Red Sox by 9½ games in the division race, to tie it in the eighth. Tampa Bay, which has lost 13 of 17, saw its lead drop to one game over New York for the second AL wild-card spot.
TIGERS 1, WHITE SOX 0
CHICAGO — Anibal Sanchez struck out 10 for Detroit.
Sanchez (14-7) allowed five hits and walked four in 7 1-3 innings while lowering his AL-best ERA to 2.50. Joaquin Benoit got three outs for his 18th save in as many opportunities, completing a five-hitter for Detroit’s 11th shutout of the season.
Omar Infante drove in the game’s only run with a two-out single against Matt Lindstrom (2-4) in the eighth inning.
White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana pitched seven innings of five-hit ball. He remained winless over his last five starts despite a 3.03 ERA.
ATHLETICS 18, TWINS 3
MINNEAPOLIS — Jed Lowrie’s foul ball that turned into a two-run double after umpires changed the call highlighted a 10-run fourth inning for Oakland.
Every Oakland starter had at least one hit, one run and one RBI as the A’s recorded a season-high 22 hits and extended their lead over Texas in the AL West to three games.
Lowrie, Coco Crisp and Stephen Vogt also homered. Yoenis Cespedes had three RBIs to help the A’s score their most runs in a game since beating Boston 20-2 on Aug. 31, 2012.
With runners on second and third and three runs already in, Lowrie lined a ball down the line in the fourth that first-base umpire Bill Miller ruled foul as he danced out of the way.
Lowrie pointed at the ground inside the white line where he thought the ball hit. Oakland manager Bob Melvin came out to argue, and Lowrie was eventually awarded a two-run double after the entire umpire crew huddled and changed the call.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected by Miller after a long argument.
Sonny Gray (3-3), who had received fewer than four runs of support over his last six starts, struck out seven in five innings for the win.
In the fifth, Josh Reddick of the A’s drove a ball off the top of the wall in the right-field corner that Miller ruled a home run.
The call was overturned after a replay review — the first at Target Field this season — and Reddick had to trot back out of the dugout to second base.
Mike Pelfrey (5-12) was removed with no outs in the fourth. He allowed seven runs and eight hits and has won just once since July 11.
ROYALS 6, INDIANS 2
CLEVELAND — Alex Gordon homered on the game’s first pitch and Kansas City’s James Shields dominated after a shaky first inning.
Kansas City took two of three in the series between clubs that are in contention for the second wild card spot in the AL. The Royals, who entered Wednesday trailing Tampa Bay by three games, moved a game closer to the Indians. Cleveland was 1½ games behind the Rays.
The Royals had a home run, a triple and a single on the game’s first seven pitches to take a 2-0 lead.
Shields (11-9) gave up two runs, two hits, and hit a batter in the bottom half of the first before taking control.
Michael Brantley had a two-run single in the first, but Shields didn’t allow another hit until Jason Kipnis’ leadoff single in the ninth.
Shields allowed four hits, struck out seven and walked one. Greg Holland retired the last three hitters for his 42nd save.
Scott Kazmir (8-8) allowed four runs and nine hits in four innings.
ANGELS 5, BLUE JAYS 4
TORONTO — Kole Calhoun hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and C.J. Wilson won his eighth straight decision for Los Angeles.
Mark Trumbo hit a two-run home run, his career-high 33rd, and Josh Hamilton had three hits as the Angels won for the ninth time in 12 meetings with the Blue Jays.
Mike Trout drew a one-out walk off Steve Delabar (5-3) in the eighth and went to third on Hamilton’s double. Trumbo was intentionally walked to load the bases for Calhoun, who hit a sacrifice fly to left.
Calhoun went 1 for 2 with two sacrifice flies, helping the Angels win for the fifth time in seven games.
Wilson (16-6) allowed four runs, three earned, in seven innings to match his career-high in victories, first set with Texas in 2011. The left-hander, who has not lost since July 5 against Boston, walked four and struck out six. He’s 12-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 17 starts since June 14.
Ernesto Frieri worked the ninth for his 32nd save.
Moises Sierra went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a triple for the Blue Jays.
ASTROS 6, MARINERS 1
SEATTLE — Brad Peacock gave up one run in six innings and Chris Carter singled in two runs to lead Houston to the three-game sweep.
Kendrys Morales hit the 100th home run of his career for Seattle, which has lost four straight at home.
Peacock (5-5) allowed four hits, struck out four, walked one and retired the final nine batters he faced. Josh Zeid got out of an eighth-inning jam and finished the ninth for his first career save.
Brandon Maurer (4-8) allowed five runs — all scoring with two outs — and seven hits in three innings. It was the first major league start for Maurer since May 28. He was pressed into duty to replace ace Felix Hernandez, who was originally scheduled for the start but was scratched Monday with a minor oblique strain.
INTERLEAGUE
PIRATES 7. RANGERS 5
ARLINGTON, Texas — Clint Barmes homered and drew a bases-loaded walk as Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep in an interleague matchup of wild-card leaders.
Justin Morneau, acquired from Minnesota less than two weeks ago, snapped an 0-for-14 slump with four hits while scoring twice for the Pirates.
Texas has lost nine of its last 12, a stretch in which the Rangers have lost four consecutive series. They have gone from a three-game lead in the AL West to entering Wednesday 2½ games behind Oakland.
A.J. Burnett (8-10) struck out seven in 6 1-3 innings, though he faded late after retiring the first 13 batters he faced.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
DIAMONDBACKS 4 , DODGERS 1
LOS ANGELES — Paul Goldschmidt went 4 for 5 and drove in a pair of runs to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Los Angeles 4-1 Wednesday night, snapping a five-game skid against the Dodgers and avoiding a sweep.
Patrick Corbin (14-6) ended a three-game losing streak while improving to 2-0 in three starts at Dodger Stadium. The left-hander allowed one run and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings, striking out two and walking two.
Brad Ziegler pitched the ninth to earn his 10th save in 12 chances.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (13-6) gave up three runs and 10 hits — his second-most this season — while striking out one and walking none in his first start since Aug. 30. The left-hander missed his scheduled start last Friday because of a stiff back.
GIANTS 4, ROCKIES 3
SAN FRANCISCO — Marco Scutaro and Brandon Belt hit consecutive RBI singles in the eighth inning.
The Giants loaded the bases with one out against Matt Belisle (5-7), and Scutaro followed with a tying single into right field. Belt’s hit drove in Angel Pagan and gave San Francisco a 4-3 lead.
Guillermo Moscoso (2-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the victory, securing the first winning homestand for the Giants since May 20-26. Santiago Casilla finished for his second save.
Nolan Arenado had two hits and two RBIs for the Rockies, who have lost five of six. Michael Cuddyer added th ree hits and went 7 for 13 in the series.
Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence each drove in a run for San Francisco, which has won three of four.
Giants right-hander Yusmeiro Petit struck out seven in 5 2-3 innings in his first start since he almost threw a perfect game against Arizona before settling for a one-hitter. He gave up three runs and six hits with two walks.
MARLINS 5, BRAVES 2
MIAMI — In his season finale, Miami Marlins rookie Jose Fernandez pitched seven innings, hit his first major league homer and engaged in a standoff with the annoyed Atlanta Braves that cleared both benches and bullpens.
When he had completed his eventful evening, Fernandez slowly walked off the mound one last time, removing his cap as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Two relievers pitched the final two innings, and the woeful Marlins beat the playoff-bound Braves 5-2.
The game was the last of the season for the demonstrative 21-year-old Fernandez because he passed his 170-inning limit set by the Marlins. A top candidate for NL Rookie of the Year, he finished 12-6 with an ERA of 2.19, second-lowest in the majors behind only the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw.
Fernandez homered in the sixth inning, and after slowly circling the bases he engaged in a heated exchange with catcher Brian McCann, which prompted the other players to join them. Shoves were swapped but no punches were evident, and no one was ejected.
Mike Minor (13-7) allowed five runs, four earned, and 11 hits in six innings for Atlanta.
NATIONALS 3, METS 0
NEW YORK — Dan Haren pitched one-hit ball for six innings, Ryan Zimmerman homered and Washington earned its fifth consecutive win.
The Nationals improved to 22-9 in their late charge toward a playoff spot. They remained six games behind Cincinnati for the final NL wild-card spot with only 17 to play.
Haren (9-13) and the Washington bullpen held an overmatched New York lineup to three singles. Rafael Soriano got three outs for his 41st save.
The night was full of 9/11 tributes. Mets manager Terry Collins wore an NYPD hat during batting practice, and there were several remembrances on the field, on the scoreboard and over the public-address system of those affected by the terror attacks 12 years ago.
Zack Wheeler (7-5) gave up one run and eight hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking one. He wound up with his third loss in four starts.
CARDINALS 5, BREWERS 1
ST. LOUIS — Matt Adams hit a two-run homer in St. Louis’ four-run eighth inning, helping the Cardinals to their fifth consecutive win.
Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday had two hits apiece for the Cardinals, who maintained a one-game lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central.
Brewers reliever Brandon Kintzler (3-2) was charged with three runs and recorded two outs.
Carlos Beltran’s sacrifice fly off Michael Gonzalez scored Carpenter to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. An error by catcher Jonathan Lucroy allowed Jon Jay to score and Adams followed with his 12th homer.
Trevor Rosenthal (2-3) had a hitless eighth inning for the win.
REDS 6, CUBS 0
CINCINNATI — Devin Mesoraco homered for the first time in a month, Jack Hannahan added his first career pinch-hit homer and the Reds avoided a sweep by the last-place Cubs.
Mesoraco broke out of his slump with three hits as the Reds closed a 7-3 homestand.
Mike Leake (13-6) allowed four hits and walked four in 5 2-3 innings en route to a career high in wins, despite humid conditions and an 84-degree temperature at gametime.
Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija (8-12) also pitched 5 2-3 innings and was charged with six runs and eight hits.
Mesoraco hit a solo drive in the fourth for his first homer in 25 games since he hit two against St. Louis on Aug. 3. Hannahan connected for a three-run shot in the sixth.
PHILLIES 4, PADRES 2
PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Lee pitched eight sharp innings and Freddy Galvis had three hits for Philadelphia.
Lee (13-6) allowed two runs and five hits, struck out nine and walked one. It was the second straight eight-inning outing and fourth in the last six starts for Lee, who pounded his glove and skipped toward the dugout after fanning Jedd Gyorko to end the eighth.
Gyorko and Tommy Medica homered for the Padres, who had won four in a row. Medica’s solo shot in the fifth was his first hit in his major league debut.
Jonathon Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 26th save in 33 chances.
The Phillies took the lead in the seventh against Nick Vincent (4-3). Galvis led off with a double, went to third on Lee’s sacrifice and scored on Cesar Hernandez’s weak chopper to first.