The morning after Josh Beckett became MLB’s first 20-game winner since 2005…

The Tigers maintained their slim chances of making it back to the playoffs, a nearly insurmountable 7 1/2 games deficit in the division and nearly identical deficit in the wild card race;  their division rivals, the Indians, lowered their magic number to two for clinching their first AL Central title since 2001; the Fightin’ Phillies continued their torrid mid-September push in the NL East and the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers kept up their battle for NL Central supremacy.

Royals 4, Tigers 5 — Brandon Inge hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning and the Detroit Tigers rallied for a 5-4 win against the visiting Royals.

A’s 3, Indians 4 — Fausto Carmona won his 18th game, Ryan Garko and Jhonny Peralta hit back-to-back homers and Cleveland beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3.

BlueJays 5, Yankees 4 (14 innings) — A four-run lead was wasted and Scott Downs blew his third save of the season, but the Blue Jays claimed a 5-4 victory over the Yankees in extra innings.

Red Sox 8, D’Rays 1 — The Red Sox temporarily snapped out of their small tailspin by pounding out eight runs on nine hits to give Josh Beckett a MLB-leading 20th win.

Mariners 6, Angels 0 – The Seattle Mariners defeated the division-leading Angels 6-0.  The Mariners six runs were highlighted during a four-run, sixth inning off Angels starter Joe Saunders.

More after the jump »

News and notes while Giants fans prepare to say goodbye to the Barry Bonds-era…

TBS sets MLB post-season teams (USA Today) Michael Hiestand of USA Today reports that TBS has set its broadcasting members for their inaugural coverage of baseball’s post-season: Steve Stone, Bob Brenly, Joe Simpson, Don Orsillio, Ted Robinson, Tony Gwynn, Chip Caray and the ghost of Dick Stockton.

Oklahoma hangs 50+ on Tulsa (AP/ESPN) Allen Patrick ran for 145 yards and two TDs, Sam Bradford threw two long touchdown passes to Juaquin Iglesias and the Sooners outraced Tulsa 62-21.

Attorney: Landis mulling his options (Y! Sports) Four words: Give. It. Up. Dude.

Team supports La Russa (AP/FOX Sports) Despite what appeared to be a veiled campaign to find another MLB job over the last two weeks, players on the St. Louis Cardinals — notably Jim Edmonds — support their manager and would like him to return for the ‘08 campaign.

Yahoo! snags AOL’s Mottram (The Big Lead) We’re pale white, rested and ready…give us a call, Fanhouse.