White Sox prevail, Tigers lose to tighten AL Central

CHICAGO—The Chicago White Sox breathed life back into their fading playoff hopes with a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay on Friday, driving a nail into the Rays’ own postseason hopes.

Chicago moved back within a game of the American League Central Division-leading Detroit Tigers, who slipped to a 4-2 loss against the Minnesota Twins.

Alex Rios hit his career-high 25th homer of the season for Chicago, while the Rays batting lineup could not muster enough to extend what had been an eight-game winning streak. The defeat dropped the Rays three games off the second and last wild-card berth, with only five games to go.

Detroit led the Twins early but reliever Brayan Villarreal walked three batters to load the bases in the eighth and Ryan Doumit got a one-out hit to drive in the winning run.

The top two in the American League East are also separated by only one game, after both the New York Yankees and the pursuing Baltimore Orioles won.

The Yankees cruised past the Toronto Blue Jays 11-4, with Russell Martin hitting a three-run homer and Eric Chavez adding a two-run shot.

Baltimore downed the Boston Red Sox 9-1, setting up with six runs in the first inning, thanks chiefly to Ryan Flaherty’s first career grand slam. Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman gave up only one hit in eight innings.

The Oakland Athletics stayed two games clear in the fight for the last wild card, beating the Seattle Mariners 8-2. AP