Twins, Brewers both fall
Carlos Pena homered and drove in 4 runs - with help from a replay reversal - and the host Tampa Bay Rays routed the Minnesota Twins 11-1 on Friday night to close in on clinching the first playoff berth in franchise history.
The AL East leaders moved within 1 win of wrapping up at least a wild-card spot, with Pena's fourth-inning homer coming on the first reversal produced by baseball's instant replay system. Tampa Bay remained 1 games ahead of second-place Boston in the division.
The Rays can earn a postseason berth for the first time in their 11 seasons by winning one of two remaining games in this series against the Twins, who trail the first-place White Sox by 2 games in the AL Central.
Edwin Jackson (12-11) allowed 1 run and 7 hits in 7 innings. Minnesota avoided a shutout with Joe Mauer's sixth-inning sacrifice fly.
Pena's drive to right field off Boof Bonser appeared to be touched by a fan before bouncing off the top of the fence. First base umpire Mike DiMuro signaled fan interference, and Pena stopped at second base for a 2-run double.
The umpires huddled immediately and decided to look at the video for the third test of the system since Aug. 28, when baseball allowed umpires to begin using it to determine boundary calls.
The crowd of 28,306 broke into cheers when the umpires returned to the field after a delay of 4 minutes, 10 seconds, and crew chief Gerry Davis signaled home run, giving Pena a 3-run shot that made it 9-0.
Pena also drew a walk with the bases loaded in the second inning and finished 2-for-3 with 4 RBI. Evan Longoria drove in 3 with a double in the first off Nick Blackburn (10-10), a sacrifice fly in the second and a fielder's choice in the sixth.
National League
Reds 11, Brewers 2: Joey Votto and Jay Bruce each hit a pair of homers, and host Cincinnati blasted 7 overall against a tattered pitching staff and dealing another major setback to Milwaukee's playoff chances.
The Brewers opened September with one of the best records in the majors, hopes of catching the Cubs in the NL Central, and a comforting 5-game lead in the wild-card race. For the second season in a row, they're collapsing at the end.
Milwaukee's 14th loss in 18 September games left the Cubs 1 victory - or a Milwaukee loss - from clinching their second straight division title. Worse, the Brewers are now desperately chasing the Mets, who began the day 1 games ahead in the wild-card race.
Jeff Suppan (10-10) has epitomized Milwaukee's fade. The right-hander went 5-0 in August, but has yet to win a game in September, going 0-3 while allowing 19 earned runs in 16 innings. He lasted only 2 innings Friday.
Votto hit Suppan's sixth pitch of the game for a 3-run homer, his 20th. Two batters later, Bruce hit his 20th homer for a 5-0 lead, giving Cincinnati the only pair of 20-homer rookies in the majors.
Manny Parra relieved and gave up 4 homers - solo shots by Votto, Jolbert Cabrera and Andy Phillips along with a 2-run homer by Jerry Hairston Jr. Bruce completed the outburst with a solo shot off Tim Dillard.