The Juice: Rays and Yankees both win thrillers as AL Wild Card race intensifies

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The Tampa Bay Rays, in danger of losing grip on an AL Wild Card spot, needed a boost on Thursday night. They were close to getting swept by the division rival Boston Red Sox and losing their eighth game in their last 11.

Who would come through in the clutch for the Rays? Rookie Wil Myers, who hit an eighth-inning double that broke a 3-3 tie and would eventually serve as the game-winning RBI. It was so very, very close to going foul down the right-field line. Instead, if the Rays can gain some momentum going up the standings now, Myers' hit could prove to be the turning point in their September. Closer Fernando Rodney made things interesting in the ninth, but the Rays hung on for the 4-3 win.

The Rays next start a series with the Twins, which could prove welcome relief for Joe Maddon's bunch.

The Yankees stay close with wild-pitch win: The Yankees, closing in on the Rays for that second AL Wild Card spot, looked for a time Thursday night like they'd gain more ground. Then it looked like they wouldn't. Then Tampa won, then the Yankees came back and eventually everything just stayed the same, with one game separating the two teams.

The Yanks managed a 6-5 win over the Wild Card-contending Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees had a good grasp on things, with a 5-2 lead in the eighth inning, before Danny Valencia hit a three-run homer for the Orioles to tie the game. In the ninth, against Orioles closer Jim Johnson, the Yankees scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch that plated new shortstop Brendan Ryan.

With the win, the Yanks took three of four from the Orioles, moving Baltimore into dire territory if it still wants to contend. The O's play the Blue Jays next, while the Yankees head to Boston for a weekend series.

There was bad news for the Yankees, though. They lost Brett Gardner to a strained oblique muscle in the first inning. He'll have an MRI on Friday to determine the severity. Here are the current AL Wild Card standings.

Dodgers 3, Giants 2: Adrian Gonzalez' 10th inning single lifts the Dodgers past the rival Giants. Former Giants closer Brian Wilson gets the win in his first game against his ex-team.

Indians 14, White Sox 3: Indians rout White Sox, stay 1 1/2 back for AL Wild Card.

Brewers 5, Cardinals 3: Rookie Tyler Thornburg pitches the Brewers to victory, snapping the Cards winning streak and tying the NL Central again, because ...

Pirates 3, Cubs 1: The Pirates win their fourth in a row behind a strong outing from Jeff Locke. Both the Pirates and Cards are 85-61.

Angels 4, Blue Jays 3: Angels finish sweep of Blue Jays in battle of the AL disappointments. Congrats, Toronto. You win/lose.

Phillies 10, Padres 5: The Phillies score six runs in the first inning and ... well, that was enough.

Nats 7, Mets 2: The Nats win their sixth in a row, including a sweep of the Mets, after four homers.

A's 8, Twins 2: Well, Twins, at the A's only scored eight this time, not 18 like on Wednesday.

Braves 6, Marlins 1: Freddy Garcia pitches the Braves to victory for his first NL victory since 2007, lasting six innings and giving up one run.

— Freddie Freeman on Braves teammate Freddy Garcia

Alfonso Soriano robs Manny Machado of a home run, right in front of the Orioles fans.

• The Nationals are 17-5 since Aug. 20, which is the best record in MLB in that span. However, they're still 5 1/2 games back in the NL Wild Card standings. (via ESPN Stats & Info)

• Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen had converted 18 straight saves before blowing Thursday's game against the Giants. (via @AlexPavlovic)

• The A's have their biggest lead in the AL West since Aug. 3 — 3 1/2 games. They start a series with the second-place Rangers on Friday.

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