MLB: Detroit Tigers and St Louis Cardinals move step closer to division titles

Detroit Tigers moved two-and-a-half games clear in the American League Central with a second successive win over nearest rivals Kansas City Royals.

Having won the series opener 10-1 on Friday, the Tigers had to work harder for Saturday's win, edging home 3-2 with the help of a crucial reversal.

Torii Hunter's home run and Tyler Collins' pinch-hit single were the key scoring plays for Detroit but the game hinged on a madcap play in the sixth inning when Salvador Perez failed to tag at third base and was eventually given out following a lengthy consultation between the umpires.

Wildcard race

Cleveland Indians also remain theoretically in contention to win the division, but more realistically boosted their wildcard hopes with a 7-3 win over Minnesota Twins in which Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer.

AL West pair Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners are the other teams at the heart of the wildcard race and both suffered defeats.

Oakland went down 3-0 to Philadelphia Phillies while the Mariners shipped five home runs in a 10-1 hiding to Houston Astros.

The pair comfortably trail confirmed division winners Los Angeles Angels, who beat Texas Rangers 8-5 with homers from Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and David Freese and an AL-leading 18th win for pitcher Jered Weaver.

Baltimore Orioles are also confirmed as AL East champions and beat Boston Red Sox 7-2, with two home runs from Adam Jones and a first in the majors for Christian Walker.

Toronto Blue Jays beat New York Yankees 6-3, though Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter - in his final season before retirement - took outright possession of ninth place on the all-time list of career runs scored and moved into the all-time top hundred for RBIs.

Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston White Sox 3-1.

Cruz for Cards

In the National League, St Louis Cardinals extended their lead atop the Central division with an 8-4 win over Cincinnati Reds. Tony Cruz and Kolten Wong's home runs were worth three and two runs respectively while Randal Grichuk added a solo shot.

Nearest pursuers Pittsburgh Pirates lost 1-0 to Milwaukee Brewers in a game which saw the Brewers' Matt Garza ejected for hitting Andrew McCutchen with a pitch. Manager Ron Roenicke followed.

Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched at least a play-off place but have yet to wrap up the NL West after an 8-7 defeat to Chicago Cubs, for whom Chris Coghlan hit two homers.

San Francisco Giants failed to take advantage, beaten 3-2 by San Diego Padres behind a strong effort from pitcher Andrew Cashner.

NL East leaders Washington Nationals beat Miami Marlins 3-2, New York Mets saw off Atlanta Braves 4-2 and Colorado Rockies cruised past Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1.