Rays, Cardinals clinch playoff spots

Mark Teixeira is congratulated by Derek Jeter after his grand slam — AP Photo/Mike Carlson

New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira, left, is congratulated by Derek Jeter after his grand slam during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Yankees took an early 8-0 lead.

Rays clinch wild card with amazing comeback

Evan Longoria celebrates with teammates — AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria, right, celebrates with teammates after his home run in the 12th inning against the New York Yankees, early Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Longoria capped a startling comeback by hitting his second home run of the game, hooking a drive barely inside the left-field foul pole in the 12th inning, giving the Rays the American League wild-card spot with an 8-7 victory against the Yankees.

Rays clinch wild card with amazing comeback

Evan Longoria and Kelly Shoppach celebrate — AP Photo/Mike Carlson

Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria, left, and Kelly Shoppach celebrate with champagne early Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, after the Rays defeated the New York Yankees 8-7 and clinched the AL wild card in St. Petersburg, Fla. Longoria connected shortly after midnight, four minutes after Boston blew a ninth-inning lead and lost to Baltimore 4-3.

Red Sox fall to Orioles, complete September collapse

Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, left, greets Dustin Pedroia at home plate after Pedroia hit a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Baltimore. Boston led 3-2 in the fifth inning.

Red Sox fall to Orioles, complete September collapse

Jonathan Papelbon reacts after giving up the game winning hit — Getty Images/Greg Fiume

Jonathan Papelbon (58) of the Boston Red Sox reacts after giving up the game-winning hit against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 28, 2011 in Baltimore, Md. Boston held a nine-game lead in the AL wild-card race after Sept. 3, but a 7-19 September swoon left them tied with Tampa Bay entering the final day of the regular season.

Red Sox fall to Orioles, complete September collapse

Mike Aviles looks back at members of the Baltimore Orioles as they celebrate — AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Aviles, left, looks back at members of the Baltimore Orioles as they celebrate their 4-3 win in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Baltimore. Boston was eliminated from the playoffs after the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees in extra innings just minutes after Boston's loss.

Braves' collapse completed by Phillies in 13 innings

Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves paces the dugout after striking out in the 13th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on Sept. 28, 2011 in Atlanta. They were 10

Braves' collapse completed by Phillies in 13 innings

Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Hunter Pence drives in the go-ahead run with a base hit in the 13th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel surrendered the tying run in the ninth, and Pence came through with a two-out, run-scoring single in the 13th to give the Phillies a 4-3 victory.

Braves' collapse completed by Phillies in 13 innings

Atlanta Braves (From left: Cristhian Martinez, Alex Gonzalez and Martin Pardo) sit on the bench after the Braves' 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 13 innings, in Atlanta Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. The loss - and the St. Louis Cardinals' win - ended the Braves' 2011 season.

Cards' run to wild-card berth

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter throws during the third inning against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Houston. Carpenter and the Cardinals completed one of baseball's greatest comebacks on Wednesday night, clinching the National League wild card with an 8-0 victory against the Astros and a later loss by Atlanta.

Cards' run to wild-card berth

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and pitcher Chris Carpenter celebrate the Cardinals' 8-0 win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Houston. St. Louis trailed Atlanta by 10

Cards' run to wild-card berth

St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right, celebrates after the Cardinals clinched the National League wild card for baseball's playoffs, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Houston. The Cardinals will open the postseason on Saturday at Philadelphia, the NL East champion. In the other National League playoff matchup, Arizona visits Milwaukee.