Hunt for the Wild Card

Jonathan Crighton 
Staff Writer

Just when it seemed the Wild Card races couldn't get any wilder, Thursday's games offered some clarity in both leagues, as the teams at the top put a bit of separation between themselves and their closest pursuers.  

Thursday's action began with the Orioles sweeping the Rays with a dramatic 3-2 victory in 14 innings. Manny Machado's walk-off single -- just out of the reach of Matt Joyce, whose Rays now sit four games back in the Wild Card-- gave the Orioles a half-game lead over the Yankees for first place in the AL East, and secured their first season at .500 or better since 1997.  

Later in the afternoon in Anaheim, Jered Weaver pitched a gem after missing his last start because of right biceps tendinitis. The Angels' 6-0 victory moved them to 3 1/2 games out of the Wild Card and 4 1/2 behind Oakland, who currently hold the top Wild Card slot.  

After the Yankees had wrapped up their 2-0 victory over the rival Red Sox to keep pace with Baltimore atop the AL East, the National League took center stage.  

The red-hot Phillies had a four-run lead slip away in Houston and, as a result, their seven-game winning streak was snapped, and their Wild Card deficit stretched to four games.  

In the lone late game, the Cardinals held on for a crucial 2-1 victory over Los Angeles. St. Louis -- now two games up on Los Angeles -- cemented itself as the team to catch for the National League's final playoff spot.  

In Chicago, the Tigers-White Sox clash was washed away by rain and rescheduled for Monday. The White Sox hold a one-game edge heading into the weekend.