Blue Jays clinch American League East title

Stroman allows a single run in eight innings in convincing MLB win over Baltimore Orioles.

MLB: Game One-Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles
Stroman helped Toronto win their sixth successive game [Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports]

Marcus Stroman allowed one run in eight strong innings as the Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first American League East title in 22 years with a 15-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a double header.

The Jays (92-65) have won six successive games and are pursuing the best record in the American League, which would give them home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.

Stroman (4-0) gave up one run and five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Elsewhere, the St. Louis Cardinals clinched their third successive National League Central title with an 11-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Jason Heyward had a grand slam among his three hits and starter Tyler Lyons pitched seven scoreless innings in the second game of the doubleheader.

Joe Mauer and Byron Buxton homered while Torii Hunter drove in three runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 7-1 in the first game of a double header.

The Twins broke the game open with a four-run fourth innings.

Cody Anderson pitched seven scoreless innings on two hits as the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 10-2 in the second game of a double header.

Losing the second game prevented the Twins from taking a big step in the race for the second wild card spot. They began the day one game behind Houston and 1-1/2 games behind the Angels in the race for the second wild card.

Other results:

Orioles 8, Blue Jays 1 (2nd game)

Pirates 8, Cardinals 2 (1st game)

Braves 2, Nationals 0

Rays 6, Marlins 4

Cubs 10, Reds 3

As 8, Angels 7

Phillies 7, Mets 5

Red Sox 9, Yankees 5 (11 innings)

Royals 5, White Sox 3 (10 innings)

Rangers 6, Tigers 2

Giants 5, Dodgers 0

Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 1

Brewers 5, Padres 0

Astros 7, Mariners 6

Source: Reuters