New York won the opener 6-5 but lost the night game 7-6 to the Red Sox, leaving the Yankees on a 95-66 record and tied with Tampa Bay with one game left to play.
New York must win at Boston and rely on the Rays losing at lowly Kansas City, otherwise Tampa Bay will take the AL East title by virtue of having won 10 of 18 games against the Yankees this season.
The division winner will get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The team left with the wild card opens the playoffs Wednesday in Minnesota. The division winner hosts Texas.
In the opening game of the double-header, New York’s Brett Gardner raced home on an error in the 10th inning to give the visitors victory.
New York’s Phil Hughes (18-8) struck out two batters in a perfect ninth in his second relief outing of the year, keeping the score tied at 5-5. Mariano Rivera pitched the 10th for his 33rd save.
Boston pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (5-7) started the 10th by walking Gardner, who took second on a sacrifice. Derek Jeter hit a check-swing roller just past the pitcher’s reach, and second baseman Bill Hall tried to field it with his bare hand, but the ball got past him and Gardner scored.
In the night game, Boston’s Eric Patterson singled home the winning run in the 10th inning. Bill Hall led off the inning with a double against Ivan Nova (1-2) and went to third on a sacrifice.
Boston’s Robert Manuel (1-0) got the win with two shutout innings.
In Minneapolis, Alexi Casilla hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning to lift Minnesota over Toronto.
Delmon Young led off the Twins ninth with a double against closer Kevin Gregg (2-6). Gregg retired two batters before issuing two walks.
With the bases loaded, Casilla singled up the middle on a full-count pitch, scoring two pinch-runners.
It was Gregg’s sixth blown save of the season. Minnesota’s Matt Capps (2-0) earned the win with a scoreless ninth.
Casilla also had a two-run single in the fifth.
In Arlington, Texas, Josh Hamilton hit his first homer in more than a month and had three RBIs as Texas tuned up for the playoffs with a win over Los Angeles.
Hamilton’s two-run drive off Ervin Santana (17-10) was his 32nd homer of the season, matching a career high and giving the AL West champions a 3-2 lead.
Hamilton, who leads the majors with a .360 batting average, went 2 for 4 as the designated hitter in his second game back after missing 24 with two broken ribs. He added a sacrifice fly in a three-run seventh.
The first five Angels reached base against C.J. Wilson (15-8), who settled down to retire 15 of the next 16 hitters. Wilson is slated to start Game 2 of the playoffs.
The Angels (79-82) are assured their first losing season since 2003.
In Kansas City, Matt Joyce hit a two-run triple as Tampa Bay beat Kansas City to draw level with New York.
The Rays, getting their rotation in shape for the postseason, used eight pitchers. Chad Qualls (2-0) threw only two pitches but took the win, inducing a double-play in the third.
Carl Crawford hit his career-best 19th home run off Royals starter Kyle Davies (8-12).
In Seattle, Mark Ellis and Jack Cust hit back-to-back homers to lead Oakland over Seattle, handing the Mariners their 100th loss of the season.
The A’s have outhomered the Mariners 7-1 in the first three games of the four-game set.
Oakland’s Brett Anderson (7-6) allowed two runs in seven innings for the win.
Seattle’s David Pauley (4-9) retired his first 11 batters but gave up all three Oakland homers.
In Chicago, Mark Buehrle earned his first win in six weeks as Chicago beat Cleveland in a game shortened to six innings by rain.
Buehrle (13-13) allowed six hits in his 27th career complete game and third this season. He was 0-4 in his previous seven starts.
Chicago’s Brent Lillibridge had a two-run single off Carlos Carrasco (2-2) in the fourth and Dayan Viciedo homered for the White Sox.
In Baltimore, Brian Matusz struck out a career-high nine to win his sixth consecutive decision, steering Baltimore past Detroit.
Matusz (10-12) allowed one run and one walk in six innings.
Nick Markakis homered for the Orioles who have won four straight.
Detroit has lost six straight and must win Sunday’s season finale to avoid finishing under .500.
Tigers starter Armando Galarraga (4-9), who lost a fourth straight decision, yielded two runs over eight innings.
