Tigers remain 1 game out of wild card spot, Royals eliminated

With so many teams in the thick of this year’s AL Wild Card race, it can be tough to keep your scoreboard watching straight. Fear not, though: Bless You Boys has you covered. Over the last two weeks of the season we will update you on the ups and downs of the AL playoff picture, and how each contending team fared on a regular basis.

Baltimore Orioles 3, Toronto Blue Jays 2

Recaps: Camden Chat | Bluebird Banter

Hyun Soo Kim hit a pinch hit two-run home run in the ninth inning to give the Orioles a come from behind victory at Toronto. The Orioles plated a run off Jason Grilli in the eighth inning to pull within a run before Kim's heroics against Jays' closer Roberto Osuna won it. Zach Britton saved his 47th game in 47 chances to seal the victory for Baltimore. Francisco Liriano threw 6-1/3 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts for the Blue Jays. Chris Tillman gave up a pair of runs, one earned for Baltimore. The teams play one more game on Thursday before the Jays go to Boston and the Orioles go to New York to close out the season against the Yankees.

Impact: The Blue Jays fall to just one game ahead of Baltimore in the first wild card position, while the Orioles remain a game ahead of the Tigers for the second and final wild card playoff spot.

Seattle Mariners 12, Houston Astros 4

Recaps: Lookout Landing | Crawfish Boxes

Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager hit a pair of three run homers as the Mariners won the final game of the series at Houston. Cano hit his career high 38th home run, and Seager blasted his 30th for Seattle. Doug Fister gave up five runs on five hits in his shortest outing of the year, which lasted just 1-1/3 innings. George Springer and Evan Gattis homered for the Astros. The Mariners will host a four game series against the Oakland A's to finish the season, while the Astros have Thursday off before going to Anaheim for a three-game finale.

Impact: The Mariners remain two games behind Baltimore for the final wild card playoff spot.  The Astros fall to 3-1/2 games out of the final wild card position with just three games to play.

New York Yankees 5, Boston Red Sox 3

Recaps: Pinstripe Alley | Over the Monster

Mark Teixeira hit a walk off grand slam to cap off a five-run ninth inning as the Yankees staved off elimination with a victory over the Red Sox at  Yankee stadium. Boston still clinched the Eastern division because of the Toronto Blue Jays' loss, but blowing a 3- 0 lead in the ninth inning isn't exactly how they wanted to win it. Craig Kimbrel loaded the bases and walked in a run before being removed. Joe Kelly retired the next two Yankees before serving up the winner to Teixeira. Clay Buchholz threw six scoreless innings and Mookie Betts drove in a pair of runs for the Red Sox. The teams play one more game on Thursday in New York.

Impact: Boston clinches the American league's East division, while the Yankees are hanging on with an elimination number of one.

Kansas City Royals 5, Minnesota Twins 2

Recaps: Royals Review | Twinkie Town

Kansas City scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 2- 2 deadlock and give the Royals a victory over Minnesota. Eric Hosmer hit a two run homer for the Royals off Ervin Santana, and Wade Davis notched his 27th save of the season. Jason Vargas threw five shutout innings for the Royals. The Twins are 0-9 for the season at Kansas City.

Impact: The defending champion Royals were officially eliminated from the playoff picture because of Baltimore's win at Toronto.

Also noteworthy:

• The New York Mets defeated the Miami Marlins to remain in the first wild card position in the National League. The San Francisco Giants dropped 1-1/2 games behind the Mets, but still hold the second wild card position. The Cardinals dropped a 2-1 decision to the Cincinnati Reds and they remain a game behind the Giants.
• The Texas Rangers expanded their lead to 1-1/2 games over Boston and 2 games over Cleveland for the American League's best record with an 8- 5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The team with the league's best record will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and will host the wild card game winner in the League Division Series.