Max wins #20 in Tigers' 12-5 over Sox; Boston wins AL East

On a rainy, humid evening at Comerica Park, Max Scherzer achieved win #20 on his fourth try as the Detroit Tigers knocked down the Chicago White Sox, 12-5, making him the seventh Tigers pitcher, since division play started in 1969, to reach the plateau. Scherzer now leads the majors with most wins and is a candidate for an AL Cy Young award.

The Tigers continue to chip away at the AL Central Division magic number, which is now at 3, no thanks to Cleveland defeating Houston, 2-1. Should the pace continue, Detroit could wrap up the Central this Sunday afternoon in the Motor City.

Until then, the Tigers will continue their 3-game weekend series with the White Sox this Saturday night at 7 pm from Comerica Park.




After completing a 13-month collapse that started in September of 2011, when they blew a nine-game lead in the wild card chase and missed the playoffs with a loss on the final day of the season, the Boston Red Sox got seven strong innings from Jon Lester in a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays to become the 2013 American League East Division Champions.


MAGIC NUMBERS AROUND THE LEAGUE

NL EAST - Atlanta down to 1 after defeating the Chicago Cubs & Washington shutting out Miami
AL WEST - Oakland down to 2 after shutting out Minnesota & Texas losing to Kansas City
NL WILD CARD - Cincinnati & Pittsburgh down to 4 after Reds win & Washington's win over Miami
NL CENTRAL - St. Louis down to 7 after defeating Milwaukee & Cincinnati defeating Pittsburgh
AL WILD CARD - Tampa Bay & Cleveland down to 9 after wins & Texas' loss to Kansas City