Mitch Moreland knocked in two runs and Mookie Betts hit a solo home run as the Boston Red Sox won their second straight American League East crown. It came with a 6-3 win over the Houston Astros, Saturday at Fenway Park. Hanley Ramirez, Rafael Devers, and Andrew Benintendi added an RBI each, while Drew Pomeranz threw six-plus strong innings. Pomeranz (17-6) gave up a run on two hits, with two walks and six strikeouts for the Red Sox.
Lance McCullers Jr. (7-4) took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits, with two walks and six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of work.
Brian McCann hit a solo homer, while Evan Gattis and Yuli Gurriel each knocked in a run for the Astros (100-61). The Red Sox and Astros will play their regular-season finale Sunday before they begin their best-of-five AL Division Series. Game 1 will be played Thursday at Minute Maid Park. In their Game No. 162, the Astros will start right-hander Collin McHugh (4-2) against the Red Sox’s Hector Velasquez. The Red Sox earlier tabbed Chris Sale as Sunday’s starter but scratched him after they officially clinched the AL East title.
Yankees officially eliminated from AL East race
With the Red Sox’s victory, the New York Yankees were officially eliminated from the AL East race, despite their 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Yankees needed to win their last two games and for the Red Sox to lose their two games for the divisional crown to be in play. However, the Red Sox defeated the Astros 21 minutes after the Yankees clinched their 21st win in 29 games. With the win, the Yankees will host Tuesday’s Wild Card Game against the Minnesota Twins.
Aaron Judge hit his league-leading 52nd homer and broke Babe Ruth’s team record for most home runs at home with his 33rd long ball of the season.
Rockies notched WC slot
The Colorado Rockies clinched the second National League Wild Card spot after the Milwaukee Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-6. This marked the first time the Rockies made it to the postseason since 2009 and the fourth time in the 25-year history of the franchise.
The Rockies later lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-3. The win assured the Dodgers of home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Yasiel Puig hit a two-run homer, Chris Taylor drove in two runs, and Kenley Jansen notched his 41st save in 42 chances by getting the final four outs of the game. The Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks will play in the Wild Card Game Wednesday at Chase Field. The winner advances to play the Dodgers.
