Aaron Sanchez said he didn't know, and didn't care, that Toronto had already clinched a spot in the playoffs. The Blue Jays still had a chance to play host to the AL wild-card game, and Sanchez wanted the victory.
"I wasn't ready to go home," he said after the Blue Jays beat the host Boston Red Sox 2-1 in the regular-season finale on Sunday to claim the AL's top wild-card berth.
Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh, and Troy Tulowitzki singled to break an eighth-inning tie. Roberto Osuna retired David Ortiz on a weak nubber on the final regular season at-bat of his career, then got Jackie Bradley Jr. with two on to finish the game.
Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason when Detroit lost. By beating Boston, the Blue Jays earned the right to play host to Baltimore in a one-game playoff Tuesday.
The Red Sox will start their AL Division Series vs. the Indians on Thursday in Cleveland.
Baltimore 5, New York 2: Matt Wieters homered from both sides of the plate and Kevin Gausman gave the visiting Orioles a clutch pitching performance to snag a playoff spot. Zach Britton got five outs and finished perfect in 48 save chances this year.
Cleveland 3, Kansas City 2: The Indians earned home field against Boston without needing to make up Thursday's rainout at Detroit. The host Royals finished 81-81.
Tampa Bay 6, Texas 4: After wrapping up a 95-victory season with a home loss to the Rays, the Rangers will open the playoffs Thursday against the wild-card game winner.
