Verlander fires Tigers by Athletics, into ALCS

OAKLAND, California — Already an ace and MVP, Justin Verlander proved to be the Detroit Tigers' ultimate closer, too.

Goes the distance: Detroit's Justin Verlander fires a pitch against Oakland in Game 5 on Thursday night. AP

Verlander struck out 11 in a four-hitter, pitching Detroit into a second straight AL Championship Series a day after Jose Valverde failed to hold a ninth-inning lead with a 6-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics in the decisive Game 5 of their division series Thursday night.

Verlander tossed his first career postseason shutout and complete game with a 122-pitch masterpiece.

"He had a look in his eye today," manager Jim Leyland said. "A complete-game look in his eye."

The Tigers will face either the New York Yankees or Baltimore Orioles, tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5 on Friday night in New York. Game 1 of the ALCS is scheduled for Saturday.

Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner and MVP, was so sharp nobody in the bullpen ever got up to throw. He struck out 22 in his wins on both ends of this nail-biting series.

After squandering two chances to clinch the series, including blowing a two-run ninth-inning lead in Game 4, Leyland left it all up to Verlander just as he said he would.

"I think it's one of those things I expected to go nine innings," Verlander said. "In this situation, in a Game 5, I wanted to go all the way."

Austin Jackson hit an RBI double in the third and a run-scoring single as the Tigers added on in a four-run seventh. Prince Fielder hit an RBI single.

Detroit is on to another ALCS despite getting just one RBI all series from Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera — on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, no less.

Booed by the yellow towel-waving sellout crowd of 36,393 each time he stepped into the batter's box. Cabrera finished 5-for-20, and it was his hard-hit ball dropped by Coco Crisp in a 5-4 Game 2 victory Sunday that allowed two runs to score.

Leyland all but called Verlander's latest gem.

"Justin Verlander's a pretty tough chore for anybody," Leyland said.

The Detroit skipper gave the ball to his 17-game winner and said beforehand the Tigers would likely win or lose with the hard-throwing right-hander on the mound.

And, against the A's, Verlander usually wins.

"I don't have anybody better than him," Leyland said. "And if they get to him that much we'll probably be in trouble. I'm not taking him out, I can assure you of that, because I don't have anybody better to bring in."

Verlander became the fifth pitcher to start a winner-take-all playoff game the year after winning the Cy Young — and the first to win. In all four previous instances, that pitcher's team lost the game: Steve Carlton (1981 Phillies), David Cone (1995 Yankees), Barry Zito (2003 Athletics), and Roy Halladay (2011 Phillies).

"When you're going into pressure situations like this, there's nobody better to have on the mound than Justin," Jackson said.

Verlander followed up an 11-strikeout outing in Detroit's 3-1 Game 1 win Saturday at Comerica Park with another overpowering performance in his 10th postseason start. He improved to 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA in three postseason starts against the A's and also upped his career mark to 5-4 with 2.15 ERA in 10 starts at the Coliseum.

Verlander had allowed one earned run with a 0.69 ERA in beating the A's twice during the regular season.

"He's always tough. You go out there and you battle him the best that you can," Crisp said. "Today he had some of his best stuff of the year."

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Athletics sweep Rangers to claim unlikely title

OAKLAND, California — Same chaotic, champagne dance-party scene in the clubhouse just two days later. New T-shirt: AL West champions.

Never give up: Oakland's Brandon Moss runs to first base after hitting an RBI single in the first inning on Wednesday. AP

The Oakland Athletics won the division title with another improbable rally in a season full of them, coming back from four runs down and a 13-game division deficit to stun the two-time defending league champion Texas Rangers 12-5 on Wednesday.

"We knew this is a beast of a team we would have to beat, and to be able to beat them three games in a row and win the division on top of it, really it's a magical-type thing," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said.

Josh Hamilton dropped a fly ball in center field for a two-run error that put the A's (94-68) ahead 7-5 in a six-run fourth inning. Oakland only added to Texas' troubles the rest of the way.

While Hamilton's Rangers (93-69) are headed to the new one-game, wild-card playoff at home against Baltimore on Friday, the A's get two days off before opening the division series at Detroit on Saturday in their first postseason appearance since being swept by the Tigers in the 2006 AL Championship Series.

"It's going to be a tough matchup," Melvin said. "They have a very powerful lineup that can certainly score some runs. They also have great starting pitching. We will have our work cut out for us."

Yankees 14, Red Sox 2

In New York, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson each hit a pair of homers, powering the Yankees past the Red Sox for their 13th AL East title in 17 years.

Hiroki Kuroda (16-11) shut Boston down with an encouraging performance after struggling through much of September. He allowed two runs and seven hits over seven innings.

Granderson hit his career-best 42nd homer in the second, a three-run shot off Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-7), making his first start since Sept. 19. Cano then connected in the third for a 5-1 lead.

One batter later Matsuzaka was finished, most likely ending his six-year career with Boston. The Red Sox paid $51.1 million to win the rights to the Japanese star and gave him a $52 million contract. Matsuzaka went 33-15 in his first two years, helping Boston win a World Series in 2007. But injuries, including elbow-reconstruction surgery June 2011, marred the last four years and he finished the deal 50-37.

"I didn't expect my six years to end the way it did," Matsuzaka said through a translator. "It has been really hard on me mentally for a while now."

Ichiro Suzuki went 1-for-5 with two runs for New York.

Rays 4, Orioles 1

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Evan Longoria homered three times.

White Sox 9, Indians 0

In Cleveland, Dan Johnson hit his first three homers of the season.

Blue Jays 2, Twins 1

In Toronto, Brandon Morrow struck out a season-high 11, and Omar Vizquel wrapped up his 24-year career.

Mariners 12, Angels 0

In Seattle, Casper Wells tied a career-high with five RBIs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 5, Phillies 1

In Washington, the NL East champion Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the postseason with their major league-high 98th victory.

Braves 4, Pirates 0

In Pittsburgh, Jason Heyward singled twice and scored two runs.

Cubs 5, Astros 4

In Chicago, Houston ended its National League tenure with a loss.

Mets 4, Marlins 2

In Miami, Ike Davis hit his 32nd homer.

Rockies 2, Diamondbacks 1

In Phoenix, Jeff Francis earned his first victory in more than a month.

Dodgers 5, Giants 1

In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw finished with a major league-leading 2.53 ERA.

Padres 7, Brewers 6

In Milwaukee, Chase Headley drove in two runs.

Norichika Aoki finished 1-for-5 with a run for the Brewers.

Cardinals 1, Reds 0

In St. Louis, rookie Shelby Miller took a no-hitter into the sixth.

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Chen, Davis lead O's to win over Athletics

Having a ball: Orioles starter Chen Wei-yin prepares to throw a pitch against the A's on Saturday in Baltimore. The Orioles won 10-1. AP

BALTIMORE — The first month of Chen Wei-yin's American adventure is going quite nicely. After four starts in the major leagues, the Taiwanese left-hander who spent the past four seasons with the Chunichi Dragons is 2-0 with an impressive 2.22 ERA.

On Saturday night, Chen pitched seven strong innings, Chris Davis had four RBIs, Adam Jones and Robert Andino each had three hits and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 10-1.

Chen (2-0) allowed six hits and didn't give up a run until Jonny Gomes' one-out home run in the sixth. By then, he led 9-0. He struck out four and walked two.

"I feel like very thankful, I feel like the guys behind me supported me a lot," Chen said through his interpreter.

"A couple innings I couldn't find the strike zone and to support me until the end I am really thankful."

The Orioles matched a season-high with 10 runs, and in the second inning scored five runs on a season-high six hits.

"It was good for us to put some distance between us and give our bullpen a break," Davis said.

Chen has allowed just two runs in his last two starts.

"I feel like I am getting improved every time I go out on the mound. I feel like I am getting better and better," Chen said.

Josh Reddick was hitless in three at-bats against Chen.

"He didn't overpower us, we just missed him a lot," Reddick said.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin was more critical of his team's offense than offering praise to Chen.

"I am not going to say he didn't throw the ball well. I am just saying we had opportunities that we didn't take advantage of. I think he probably gained confidence from that," Melvin said.

"I haven't seen him enough to say what kind of pitcher he is. The numbers he has put up are indicative of a good pitcher."

Tigers 7, Yankees 5

In New York, Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in three runs, and Drew Smyly pitched into the seventh inning for his first major league win.

Rangers 7, Rays 2

In Arlington, Texas, Colby Lewis allowed one run in six innings and the Rangers snapped Tampa Bay's six-game winning streak.

Koji Uehara worked a scoreless ninth for Texas.

Red Sox 1, White Sox 0

In Chicago, Jon Lester outdueled Jake Peavy, lifting Boston over the White Sox.

Kosuke Fukudome was hitless in an at-bat as a pinch hitter.

Angels 2, Indians 1

In Cleveland, Dan Haren pitched eight strong innings and Albert Pujols' power drought continued.

Blue Jays 7, Mariners 0

In Toronto, Brandon Morrow pitched six innings and Edwin Encarnacion hit a grand slam off reliever Hisashi Iwakuma as the Blue Jays snapped a four-game losing streak.

Ichiro Suzuki was 2-for-4 and pinch hitter Munenori Kawasaki walked in his only at-bat.

Royals at Twins — ppd.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Dodgers 4, Nationals 3 (10)

In Los Angeles, Matt Kemp homered in the 10th to spoil Bryce Harper's MLB debut.

Phillies 5, Cubs 2

In Philadelphia, Carlos Ruiz homered and drove in three runs, and Joe Blanton threw 7? sharp innings for the Phillies.

Marlins 3, Diamondbacks 2

In Miami, Hanley Ramirez hit a run-scoring single with two outs in the ninth.

Giants 2, Padres 1

In San Francisco, Tim Lincecum pitched eight innings in his longest start of the season.

Pirates 4, Braves 2

In Atlanta, Alex Presley had two hits, extending his hitting streak to 12 games, drove in two runs and also scored.

Cardinals 7, Brewers 3

In St. Louis, Yadier Molina went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer, and Kyle Lohse allowed three runs over six innings.

Norichika Aoki was 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter for Milwaukee.

Mets 7, Rockies 5

In Denver, Dillon Gee shook off one tough inning in an otherwise strong outing.

Reds 6, Astros 0

In Cincinnati, Jay Bruce homered for the third consecutive game and drove in four runs.

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Athletics trade All-Star closer Bailey, Sweeney to Red Sox

BOSTON — For Andrew Bailey, coming in from the bullpen at Fenway Park is a special feeling.

New gun in town: All-Star closer Andrew Bailey is leaving the Oakland A's for the Boston Red Sox. AP PHOTO

He'll experience that a lot more next season.

New manager Bobby Valentine found his new man for the back end of the Boston bullpen on Wednesday when the Red Sox obtained the All-Star closer and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara.

In the deal, first reported by ESPN, Bailey gives the Red Sox a reliable ninth-inning guy to replace the departed Jonathan Papelbon, who signed a $50 million, four-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in November.

The 27-year-old Bailey has three saves in four appearances at Fenway Park in his three major-league seasons.

"The one that sticks out the most was my first save opportunity this year was against the Red Sox," Bailey said in a conference call. "I actually blew that save. From what I remember, there's nothing like the atmosphere of running into the game from the bullpen at Fenway Park."

A New Jersey native and offseason resident of Connecticut, Bailey is excited about coming back east.

He already knows Valentine, who lives in Stamford, Connecticut, and hosted several events for the pediatric cancer foundation of Bailey and former teammate Craig Breslow.

"Bobby and I are good friends," Bailey said. "It just kind of helps knowing someone going in."

Bailey — the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year, who made the All-Star team that season and again in 2010 — had been the subject of trade talk this offseason.

The right-hander went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 saves in 41? innings and 42 appearances this year. He spent time on the disabled list for the second straight season, pitching for the first time in 2011 on May 29 after being sidelined with a strained right forearm.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "This is my first healthy offseason I've had since I've been in the big leagues."

In his career, he is 7-10 with a 2.07 ERA and 75 saves in 84 opportunities.

Bailey becomes the fourth key pitcher traded this month for the rebuilding A's, who dealt starter Trevor Cahill and reliever Breslow to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 9 and then sent left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez to Washington last Thursday.

"That organization is heading down a different road where they're trying to get younger and build for a future in San Jose," Bailey said.

Oakland general manager Billy Beane is retooling his roster for the future in hopes of the franchise getting the go ahead to build a new ballpark some 65 km south in San Jose despite the San Francisco Giants owning the territorial rights to technology-rich Santa Clara County.

Beane and owner Lew Wolff have said they expect to hear soon from commissioner Bud Selig, and Beane said the unsettled stadium situation would affect him being able to sign his own free agents this winter.

The A's (74-88) haven't posted a winning record or earned a playoff berth since being swept in the 2006 AL Championship Series by Detroit.

The Red Sox missed the playoffs the past two years, but won the World Series in 2004 and 2007.

"I think every kid playing T-ball out there strives to pitch in the postseason and meaningful games in September and, ultimately, the World Series," Bailey said. "So I'm going to welcome that with open arms."

NEW YORK — Former Boston Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima has agreed to terms with the rival New York Yankees, an article on the Yankees' website said Wednesday.

The 36-year-old left-hander will sign a minor league contract which includes an invitation to spring training, according to the report.

Okajima spent the majority of the 2011 season pitching in the minors, making just seven big league appearances and going 1-0 with an ERA of 4.32.

Following 12 seasons in Japan, Okajima signed with Boston as an international free agent in late 2006. As a rookie, he posted a 2.22 ERA over 66 appearances and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.

In five seasons as a major league reliever, all with Boston, Okajima is 17-8 with six saves in 261 games and a 3.11 ERA.

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