Indians keep Red Sox from clinching playoffs berth

The Boston Red Sox will have to wait at least one more day to clinch their fifth postseason trip in six years.

Rookie Zach Jackson pitched six solid innings and the Cleveland Indians beat Josh Beckett and the Red Sox 4-3 on Monday with the help of a bizarre play involving the third base umpire.

Beckett (12-10) struggled with his control, hitting a career-worst three batters, throwing a wild pitch and walking in a run.

The Red Sox, with six games left, fell 2 1/2 games behind American League East leader Tampa Bay, which beat Baltimore 4-2.

With Cleveland ahead 4-2, Boston had runners at first and second with two outs in the sixth.

Jeff Bailey then lined the ball inside third base. Gerry Davis signaled it was fair, but the ball hit him and stopped just beyond the infield dirt. Third baseman Jamey Carroll picked it up, and Bay, who had rounded third, was caught in a rundown and tagged out.

David Ortiz hit his 23rd homer for the Red Sox.

Rays 4, Orioles 2

At Baltimore, Jason Bartlett doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bay beat Baltimore to take another step toward its first AL East title.

The victory reduced the Rays' magic number for winning the division crown to four after the Red Sox lost to the Indians. Any combination of Tampa Bay wins and Red Sox losses totaling four would make the Rays champions of the AL East.

Tampa Bay has already clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.

Akinori Iwamura singled in two runs in the fifth, and Bartlett's pivotal double off Rocky Cherry (0-3) followed an error by second baseman Brian Roberts and a walk to Eric Hinske.

Royals 6, Tigers 2

At Detroit, David DeJesus went 4-for-4 and Mike Aviles drove in two runs to lead Kansas City past Detroit.

The Tigers were minus suspended slugger Gary Sheffield, then lost star Miguel Cabrera in the third inning because of a tight back. Cabrera was listed as day to day.

Detroit has lost 10 of 11, and is only one game ahead of last-place Kansas City in the AL Central. Sheffield was suspended four games earlier in the day for brawling with Cleveland pitcher Fausto Carmona last week.

Gil Meche (13-11) won for the third time in four starts, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings. Zach Miner (8-5) took the loss, giving up four runs in six-plus innings.

Angels 2, Mariners 1

At Seattle, Ervin Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combined for a five-hitter, Vladimir Guerrero homered and Los Angeles beat skidding Seattle to set a franchise record for road wins.

Seattle has lost 12 straight games and is two away from tying the franchise record set in 1992.

Santana (16-6) allowed one run and five hits to match his career high for victories. He struck out nine, walked none and improved to 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA against Seattle this season.

Rodriguez got three outs to extend his major league record for saves to 61 and earn his 10th against the Mariners this year.

Athletics 4, Rangers 3, 11 innings

At Arlington, Texas, Travis Buck hit an RBI single in the 11th inning and Oakland edged Texas to move into second in the AL West.

The Rangers, who lost their fifth straight game, forced extra innings when Hank Blalock led off the ninth with a homer.

Oakland's victory ensures both teams will finish with losing records. The A's (75-81), who will play 161 games because a rainout at Baltimore will not be made up, took over second for the first time since July 25 after winning their fourth straight game and eighth of nine.

Cliff Pennington led off the Oakland 11th with a double off Luis Mendoza (3-8) and scored on Buck's one-out single, beating the throw home by right fielder Nelson Cruz.