Sox a Game Away From Twins Showdown

Minnesota earns right to face Yankees with 6-5 victory in 12 innings

(NEWSER) - The Minnesota Twins rallied twice tonight, including in extra innings, to beat the Detroit Tigers in a one-game playoff to decide the American League Central division, winning 6-5 in 12 innings and grabbing baseball’s final postseason spot. It’ll be a quick turnaround for the Twins, who begin their first-round series against the Yankees tomorrow night in New York. More»

Rays at the head of the class—Rockies, Marlins at the back

(NEWSER) - Report card time! Here’s how the rambunctious kids of MLB are doing so far, in Yahoo Sports’ Steven Henson’s estimation. A students—Rays, Red Sox, Cubs, Angels, White Sox Particular kudos go to the Rays, the poor kid who went to the head of the class. B students—Cardinals, Brewers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, Athletics, Marlins, Orioles The Cardinals have a slight edge in the wildcard race. The Yankees, meanwhile, barely scrape together a B. More»

Oakland ace tosses majors' 19th perfecto

(AP) - Dallas Braden pitched the Athletics' first perfect game in 42 years and just the 19th in major league history today, dazzling the majors' hottest team in recording a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Oakland. Braden threw his arms in the air after Gabe Kapler grounded out to shortstop for the final out. The closest the Rays got to a hit was Jason Bartlett's liner to third leading off the game. Evan Longoria tried to bunt against Braden leading off the fifth, drawing boos from the small crowd. More»

Jeter leads offensive assault as New York cruises 7-2

(AP) - Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia got the New York Yankees off to a winning postseason start in their new ballpark—and even Alex Rodriguez broke out of his playoff rut against the Minnesota Twins. Jeter tied it with a two-run homer, Sabathia was the ace the Yankees signed him to be, and New York romped over the Twins 7-2 tonight in the opener of their AL playoff series. More»

(NEWSER) - The biggest move on today’s baseball trading deadline looks to be one that wasn’t made, Fox Sports reports: Toronto kept ace right-hander Roy Halladay, who’d drawn interest from contenders in both leagues. The biggest name dealt was right-hander Jake Peavy, sent from San Diego to the Chicago White Sox for four young pitchers, Sports Illustrated notes. More»