RESULTS

* Tampa Bay 4, at Baltimore 2: Jason Bartlett doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and the Rays took another step toward their first East title. The victory reduced the Rays’ magic number for winning the division crown to four. Tampa Bay managed only three hits, but the first two were key. Akinori Iwamura singled in two runs in the fifth, and Bartlett’s pivotal double against Rocky Cherry (0-3) followed an error by second baseman Brian Roberts and a walk to Eric Hinske.

* Oakland 4, at Texas 3 (11 innings): Travis Buck hit a run-scoring single in the 11th inning and the Athletics moved into second place in the West. The Rangers, who lost their fifth straight game, forced extra innings when Hank Blalock led off the ninth with a homer. Oakland’s victory ensures both teams will finish with losing records. The A’s (75-81) will play 161 games because a rainout at Baltimore will not be made up.

* Kansas City 6, at Detroit 2: David DeJesus was four for four and Mike Aviles drove in two runs for the Royals. Detroit has lost 10 of 11, and is only one game ahead of last-place Kansas City in the Central.

* Cleveland 4, at Boston 3: Rookie Zach Jackson pitched six solid innings and the Indians beat Josh Beckett as the Red Sox failed to clinch a playoff spot.

* Angels 2, at Seattle 1: Ervin Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combined for a five-hitter.