MLB roundup: Lind’s bombs stymie Sox

BOSTON (AP) — Kevin Youkilis watched a third strike go by, and the rest of the Boston Red Sox were left watching TV to find out if they had made the playoffs.

Adam Lind hit three of Toronto’s six homers to lead the Blue Jays to an 8-7 victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday night and spoil Boston’s hopes of clinching a playoff berth for the second consecutive game. The Red Sox scored five times in the eighth inning and put two on with two outs in the ninth before Jason Frasor got Youkilis looking on a 3-2 pitch to end it.

“I had that feeling,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said hopefully. “We’ve had games where we won like that. Just try to get the tying run to the plate and give yourself a chance.”

It was the fifth straight loss for the Red Sox, who would clinch the AL wild-card berth with their next win or the next Texas loss. The Rangers played at the Los Angeles Angels later Tuesday night.

The Red Sox clubhouse was quiet afterward, and the televisions were off while reporters milled about waiting for players to interview. Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez said he was going home to sleep, but designated hitter David Ortiz planned to come back to the ballpark if a celebration was in order.

Rays 3, Orioles 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rookie Wade Davis allowed one run over seven innings, Carl Crawford stole his career-high 60th base and Tampa Bay handed Baltimore its 12th straight loss.

Yankees 4, Royals 3

NEW YORK — A.J. Burnett pitched well in an encouraging playoff tuneup and the Yankees rallied for two runs in the ninth inning to get their seventh straight victory.

Little-used Juan Miranda got the game-winning hit off ex-Yankee Kyle Farnsworth (1-5), an infield single that caromed off the reliever’s leg and into foul territory between home plate and first base. Miranda raised his arms in jubilation as he crossed the bag and the AL East champions rushed out of the dugout to celebrate as if they’d just won a playoff series.

Phillies 7, Astros 4

PHILADELPHIA — Pedro Feliz hit a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies moved closer toward third straight NL East title with a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

The defending World Series champions reduced their magic number for winning the division to one after Atlanta lost.

Marlins 5, Braves 4

ATLANTA — Jorge Cantu hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh and the Florida Marlins damaged Atlanta’s playoff hopes and snapped the Braves’ seven-game winning streak.

Cameron Maybin’s two-run homer gave the Marlins a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning but Matt Diaz hit a tying three-run drive in the sixth for the Braves.

Reds 7, Cardinals 2

CINCINNATI — Jay Bruce homered twice and had a career-high five RBIs.

The Cardinals, who wrapped up the NL Central title with a 6-3 win at Colorado on Saturday, have lost four of five. Joel Pineiro (15-12) allowed seven runs and eight hits in six innings to fall to 1-3 in his last four starts.

Nationals 4, Mets 3

WASHINGTON — Pinch-runner Justin Maxwell scored the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning thanks to two wild throws.

Cubs 6, Pirates 0

CHICAGO — Ryan Dempster pitched a five-hitter for his third career shutout and Jeff Baker had a two-run double.

Derrek Lee added a two-run single for the Cubs, who have won seven of nine games.

Tags: sports, baseball, mlb, lind