A.L Playoff Race Tightens

UNDATED (AP) – The AL wild-card races just got a bit tighter. The Boston Red Sox are back within a game of the New York Yankees for the first wild card, with the Mariners a half-game behind the Sox and a half-game ahead of Toronto.  The Red Sox’s four-game skid is over after J.D. Martinez smacked a solo homer and a two-run double in a 6-0 shutout of the Orioles. Hunter Renfroe also homered to back Nathan Eovaldi, who allowed four hits over six innings.  Alex Verdugo added a two-run single in the eighth for Boston.  Bo Bichette homered twice for the Blue Jays, including the tiebreaking blast in the eighth inning of their 6-5 victory over the Yankees. Marcus Semien slammed his 44th home run, breaking the single-season record for second basemen.  The Jays lead the majors with 251 home runs, six off the team record.  Jose Berrios retired the first 14 Yankees in order, striking out seven, before giving up three straight hits in the fifth.  The Yankees had won seven in a row.