D'backs' loss clinches NL West for Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their first NL West title since 2004 before taking the field, thanks to three straight disappointing losses by the Arizona Diamondbacks in St. Louis.

Arizona was only 2 games out with six games to play. The defending division champions bowed out quietly in a 12-3 rout by the Cardinals on Thursday.

"It was just disgusting," Conor Jackson said. "It was embarrassing. You can't pitch, you can't hit, you can't win games."

Arizona (79-80) led the division by 4 games before play on Aug. 29, then lost 11 of 14 as the Dodgers took control of the division. The Diamondbacks had rebounded by winning seven of eight to put the heat on the Dodgers, but they began to fade in Tuesday's series opener, when the Cardinals scored 4 runs in the first inning off Randy Johnson in a 7-4 victory.

"They hit a hot stretch, and we hit a cold stretch. Put that together and you get the Dodgers jumping around right now," Chris Snyder said.

Albert Pujols hit a 3-run homer and finished with 4 RBI to back Joel Pineiro (7-7), who allowed 3 runs and 3 hits over 7 innings on his 30th birthday. St. Louis had been eliminated from postseason contention on Tuesday.

"You had an obligation to play like we've been playing all year," manager Tony La Russa said. "It's not enjoyable at all, but you have to compete."

Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds set a major-league record with 2 more strikeouts, raising his season total to 201. Philadelphia's Ryan Howard set the previous mark of 199 last year - and Howard enters the final weekend with 196 this season.

Tigers, 7, Rays 5: Tampa Bay's AL East title celebration was delayed by Detroit.

Scott Kazmir allowed 4 homers, 2 to Ramon Santiago, and the Rays lost to the host Tigers on Thursday.

Having already secured no worse than a wild-card berth, the Rays would have clinched the division with a victory. Their first AL East title would be assured if second-place Boston lost to Cleveland later Thursday, but the Red Sox beat Cleveland to close within 2 games of first place with three games remaining.

Kazmir (12-8) allowed 4 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings, struck out eight and walked two. Ben Zobrist homered twice and had 4 RBI for the Rays.

Red Sox 6, Indians 1: Jon Lester flirted with a no-hitter in his final tuneup before the playoffs, finishing with 6 innings of 2-hit ball night and leading host Boston over Cleveland.

Kevin Youkilis was 2-for-3 with his 28th homer for the Red Sox, who retained a mathematical chance of winning the AL East if they win their last three games of the season and Tampa Bay loses its last three. The Rays lost to the Detroit Tigers 7-5 on Thursday and hold a 2-game lead and the tiebreaker in the division.