Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones hits a solo home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. AP
BOSTON – John Lackey’s no-hit bid ended with a dramatic homer, but that didn’t stop the Boston Red Sox from clinching a playoff spot with a 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
The AL East-leading Red Sox became the first American League team to clinch a playoff berth this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West title earlier Thursday.
Pitcher Lackey threw a two-hitter for the Red Sox who claimed their first Major League Baseball postseason trip since 2009.
Lackey took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a home run to Adam Jones. Undeterred, he surrendered only one other hit, a single, and struck out eight for his first complete game win since 2009.
It was the right-hander’s 16th career complete game and second this season. The last time he did it was August 23 at Dodger Stadium against Los Angeles. The Red Sox lost that contest 2-0.