The Texas Rangers clinched their second consecutive American League West crown on Friday night (Saturday AEST) by defeating the Oakland Athletics 3-0 in their Major League Baseball game.
Adrian Beltre smashed a two-run homer in a three-run seventh inning as the Rangers secured their seventh divisional title and became the first AL team to guarantee a play-off spot.
The AL East-leading Boston Red Sox moved to the brink of a play-off berth with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays - their ninth straight win.
David Ortiz hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Drew Pomeranz allowed one run and four hits in five innings for the Red Sox, who headed into the contest at Tropicana Field on the back of four-game sweeps of the New York Yankees and Baltimore.
Their magic number to secure a post-season spot was lowered to two with the Orioles' 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Trumbo's major league-leading 44th home run of the season in the 12th inning secured the win for Baltimore, keeping them a half-game behind Detroit for the AL's second wild card.
The Tigers stayed firmly in the post-season picture with an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, Michael Fulmer striking out nine in seven efficient innings.
