American League wild-card roundup: Blue Jays gain ground with Rangers’ loss

The Los Angeles Angels did a number of American League wild-card hopefuls a favour on Saturday.

Led by starter Ryan Johnson, three Angels pitchers combined for a one-hit shutout victory over the Texas Rangers, who entered the day in sole possession of the junior circuit's third wild-card spot.

With the Rangers' loss, the victorious Cleveland Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners all picked up a game in the standings.

Cleveland particularly benefited, moving into a tie with Texas at 64-66 after its win over the Colorado Rockies.

The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers also lost on Saturday, losing ground on their competition that won.

New York Yankees: vs. Toronto, 1:35 p.m., Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ Boston: vs. San Francisco, 3:15 p.m. Texas: vs. Los Angeles Angels, 2:35 p.m. Cleveland: at Colorado, 8:10 p.m. Toronto: at New York Yankees, 1:35 p.m., Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ Minnesota: at San Diego, 4:10 p.m. Baltimore: vs. Tampa Bay, 1:35 p.m. Seattle: vs. Chicago Cubs, 4:10 p.m., Sportsnet+ Detroit: at Kansas City, 2:10 p.m.

NEW YORK — Dylan Cease carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Nathan Lukes’ homer in the eighth inning was the difference as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Saturday.

Cease’s bid for his second career no-hitter and the second in Toronto history ended with two outs in the seventh on a single to right field by Jazz Chisholm Jr. on his 106th pitch. Cease allowed an RBI single to Austin Wells that cut Toronto’s lead to 3-1 before being replaced by Spencer Miles.

Cease allowed two hits in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander tied a season-high with five walks and struck out eight.

Cease threw 60 of 111 pitches for strikes. It was the second time this season Cease had a deep no-hit bid and second time he lost a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium.

Cease lost a no-hitter in the ninth inning July 8 at San Francisco and his bid for another on May 7, 2025, with San Diego at Yankee Stadium.

Miles hit José Caballero with a pitch to load the bases before retiring Trent Grisham on a ground ball to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tyler Rogers allowed a two-run homer to Luis García Jr. in the eighth and Louie Varland struck out Grisham with a runner on third for his 29th save in 30 chances.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kyle Isbel and Salvador Perez hit home runs, Michael Wacha allowed one run and three hits in seven innings, and Kansas City beat Detroit.

Wacha (7-8) has been outstanding against the Tigers this year in his three starts, going a combined 21 innings while only allowing three earned runs.