MLB roundup: Red Sox now one win away

TORONTO — David Ortiz hit a two-run homer, Daisuke Matsuzaka remained unbeaten on the road and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Sunday to clinch at least a tie for the AL wild-card.

Boston (91-64) needs one more win or a New York loss to secure its fifth playoff berth in six seasons. New York hosted Baltimore in the final regular season game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona didn't plan on staying up late enough to see what happens.

"There's a pretty good chance I'll be asleep," Francona said before the game.

The Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Monday to close the regular season with a seven-game homestand, including four against Cleveland and three against the Yankees.

YANKEES 7, ORIOLES 3: At New York, after all those championships in this celebrated place, all those unforgettable moments, the New York Yankees weren't about to be knocked out of the playoff race on a night like this. Mariano Rivera finished what Babe Ruth started 85 years ago, and New York bid farewell to fabled Yankee Stadium with a 7-3 victory Sunday night that prevented postseason elimination — at least for a day.

Derek Jeter was lifted with two outs in the ninth and jogged off the field to a raucous cheer before coming out for a curtain call. A loss would have officially ended New York's run of 13 straight playoff appearances, and a Boston win Monday night against Cleveland would still do the trick.

But on a beautiful Bronx night dripping with history and nostalgia, the Yankees refused to ruin the grand festivities. Johnny Damon and Jose Molina homered to back Andy Pettitte (14-14), a fitting winner after he helped pitch New York to four World Series titles and six AL pennants from 1996-2003.

ANGELS 7, RANGERS 3: At Arlington, John Lackey gave up two hits and struck out a career-high 12 in six shutout innings, Mark Teixeira and Sean Rodriguez homered, and the Angels completed a three-game sweep of the Rangers. Lackey (12-4) walked three and allowed only two runners to reach third as the AL West champs continued their playoff tuneup.

WHITE SOX 3, ROYALS 0: At Kansas City, John Danks and two relievers combined on a four-hitter and Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer as the AL Central-leading the White Sox beat the Royals. The victory enabled the White Sox to remain 2 1/2 games in front of the Minnesota Twins, who won at 4-1 at Tampa Bay. The White Sox open a three-game series Tuesday at Minnesota that will likely determine the American League Central crown.