By The Associated Press
Boston – Bronson Arroyo hurt Boston’s playoff chances – and his hopes of being in the postseason rotation if the Red Sox get that far.
Arroyo gave up three homers and seven runs as the Red Sox lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 on Wednesday night and dropped one game behind the New York Yankees in the East with four games remaining.
Frank Catalanotto doubled, tripled and homered for Toronto.
Boston (92-66) remained tied in the wild-card race with the Cleveland Indians, who lost to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1-0. The Red Sox play Toronto tonight, then close with three games at Fenway Park against the Yankees (93-65).
“This is the playoffs right now,” outfielder Johnny Damon said. “It’s amazing. It’s here already before October comes.”
Vernon Wells and Eric Hinske also homered, and Ted Lilly (10-11) allowed two runs, six hits and five walks in 6 2/3 innings to improve to 3-0 against the Red Sox this season.
Boston was just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and has been shut out for 9 2/3 innings by Toronto relievers.
Arroyo (14-10) hadn’t allowed a homer while winning four consecutive decisions with a 3.71 ERA in September, and had been 7-0 in the month for his career. But he gave up three homers – a season high – in the first three innings.
Devil Rays 1, Indians 0
Cleveland – Seth McClung pitched eight shutout innings as Tampa Bay dropped Cleveland three games behind the first- place Chicago White Sox in the Central with four to play.
McClung (7-11) allowed just four hits and only two runners to reach second base while outpitching Cliff Lee (18-5) and handing the Indians their third consecutive defeat – the club’s first three-game slide since being swept by the Devil Rays on Aug. 12-14.
The second-place Indians, who trailed the White Sox by 15 games on Aug. 1, host Chicago for three games to end the regular season. But by Friday, it might not matter who they play or where.
White Sox 8, Tigers 2
Detroit – Jose Contreras (15-7) won his eighth consecutive start, and Scott Podsednik had four hits as Chicago increased its playoff chances.
The White Sox would clinch no worse than a wild-card berth in the playoffs with another victory, lowering their magic number to two for clinching their first division title since 2000.
After today’s series finale in Detroit, the White Sox finish the regular season with three games at Cleveland.
Carl Everett’s two-run triple broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth, and Juan Uribe and Aaron Rowand homered for the White Sox.
Athletics 6, Angels 1
Oakland, Calif. – Eric Chavez hit a two-run homer to reach 100 RBIs and Oakland’s slumping offense woke up a couple of nights too late.
One night after clinching their second consecutive West title, the Angels rested most of their regulars. Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson, Chone Figgins, Adam Kennedy, Bengie Molina and Darin Erstad sat out, and Orlando Cabrera left after batting in the first inning.
Twins 6, Royals 3
Minneapolis – Jacque Jones hit a go-ahead triple in a three- run eighth inning as Minnesota dealt Kansas City a team record- tying 104th loss.
Rangers 7, Mariners 3
Seattle – Chris Young (12-7) survived a shaky first inning and went on to match the Texas rookie record for victories.
