Associated Press
DETROIT ó Scott Baker got plenty of run support and pitched Minnesota to a testy 8-3 victory Thursday, preventing Detroit from clinching its first division title in 22 years.
Minnesota avoided elimination from the playoff race and moved within two games of the first-place Tigers with three to play.
“We just didn’t want to see them celebrating,” Twins outfielder Denard Span said.
The teams wound up splitting their crucial four-game series, and tempers flared late in Thursday’s game.
Detroit manager Jim Leyland was ejected during a face-to-face argument with umpire Angel Hernandez in the eighth inning after Minnesota’s Jose Mijares threw behind Adam Everett.
Both benches and bullpens emptied in the ninth after Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman plunked Delmon Young in the leg. An angry Young slammed his helmet to the ground, but there was no pushing or punching.
Bonderman and Tigers catcher Gerald Laird also got tossed. The Twins ended up blaming one of their own, Mijares, for the dustup.
If Detroit beats the Chicago White Sox twice at home, it would win the division. If not, the Tigers would need some help from the last-place Kansas City Royals, who end the season at Minnesota.
Royals ace Zack Greinke is slated to start on Saturday.
Rangers 11, Angels 3
ANAHEIM, Calif. ó Chris Davis homered and drove in three runs, and Julio Borbon triggered a six-run sixth with a go-ahead RBI single.
Kevin Millwood (13-10) recorded his 20th career complete game and third this season. He tied a season high with 10 strikeouts and also threw a season-high 122 pitches.
Red Sox 3, Indians 0
BOSTON ó 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 loss.
Orioles 3, Rays 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ó Chris Waters allowed one run over five innings in his first start of the season and Baltimore stopped a 13-game skid.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rockies 9, Brewers 2
DENVER ó The Colorado Rockies are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.
Aaron Cook pitched four-hit ball over eight innings in his second start since missing a month with a sore shoulder, and Garrett Atkins drove in three runs for the Rockies.
“I’ve never forgotten ’07, and it’s great to experience it again,” Troy Tulowitzki said. “It never gets old.”
Colorado can still catch the Dodgers for the NL West title if the Rockies sweep a weekend series in Los Angeles.
“I’ve never had a better feeling than this in 33 years in professional baseball,” manager Jim Tracy said. “Until we get beat a game, we’re going to try to win the division.”
At 91-58, the Rockies set a franchise mark for wins in a season and moved 23 games over .500 for the first time in their 17-year history.
Cardinals 13, Reds 0
CINCINNATI ó Ace pitcher Chris Carpenter hit a grand slam and drove in six runs. He also threw five innings of three-hit ball for his 17th win.
Carpenter’s first career homer capped a five-run second inning for the Cardinals.
Tony La Russa snapped a tie with Hall of Fame New York Giants manager John McGraw for second place on the career list of games managed. La Russa is at 4,770, behind only Connie Mack’s 7,755.
Giants 7, Diamondbacks 3
SAN FRANCISCO ó Tim Lincecum struck out seven in his final start of the season.
Andres Torres homered and hit an RBI triple. Randy Johnson closed the game out with a scoreless ninth.
Astros 5, Phillies 3
PHILADELPHIA ó Cliff Lee was shaky in his playoff tuneup, and Miguel Tejada homered to extend his hitting streak to 18 games.
Since going 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA in his first five starts with Philadelphia, Lee is 2-4 with a 6.13 ERA in his past seven.