Major League Roundup: Rays clinch playoff berth; Cubs win Central

Rays 7, Twins 2

St. Petersburg, Fla. – The Rays clinched a playoff berth.

Jays 6, Red Sox 3

Toronto – Roy Halladay won his 19th.

Angels 7, Rangers 3

Arlington, Texas – Francisco Rodriguez got his 60th save.

Yankees 1, Orioles 0

New York – Robinson Cano hit a game-winning single.

Athletics 8, Mariners 7

Oakland, Calif. – Daric Barton hit a go-ahead single.

Indians 6, Tigers 3

Cleveland – Jeremy Sowers pitched six strong innings.

Cubs 5, Cardinals 4

Chicago – The Chicago Cubs clinched their second straight NL Central title, beating St. Louis behind Ted Lilly’s seven innings at rocking Wrigley Field.

The 41,597 fans jammed into the old neighborhood ballpark were ready to party as they watched the Cubs earn back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since they participated in three straight World Series from 1906-08.

And no one can forget 1908. That’s the last time the Cubs won the World Series, a 100-year championship drought they’ve been hearing about since they were swept out of the playoffs in the first round a year ago by Arizona.

As usual, nothing comes easy for the Cubs. And it didn’t Saturday, either.

Lilly was sailing along with a 5-0 lead when the Cardinals scored four runs with two out in the sixth, including a three-run homer by Troy Glaus.

Reds 4, Brewers 3

CIincinnati – Pitcher Micah Owings had a pinch-hit single off CC Sabathia with the bases.

D’backs 5, Rockies 3

Denver – Stephen Drew hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the ninth.

Phillies 3, Marlins 2

Miami – Philadelphia reclaimed first place from the New York Mets.

Padres 6, Nationals 1

Washington – Chris Young gave two hits in seven innings.

Pirates 6, Astros 4

Pittsburgh – Ryan Doumit drove in three runs.

Braves 4, Mets 2

Atlanta – Kelly Johnson hit an RBI double in Atlanta’s three-run first inning.