Orioles Overpower Jays

American League

Brady Anderson hit his 48th homer and Cal Ripken added a three-run shot as the Baltimore Orioles moved closer to a wild-card berth by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Thursday night at SkyDome.

Rookie Rocky Coppinger (10-6) took a three-hit shutout into the ninth before giving up a run with one out. He allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked none in improving to 4-0 against the Blue Jays this season.

Rangers 6, Angels 5

Arlington, Texas

Texas took advantage of shoddy California fielding to clinch at least a tie for a playoff spot.

Texas can win its first division title by winning any of its final three games or if second-place Seattle loses any of its four remaining games.

John Burkett (5-2) allowed seven hits and five runs in 7-2/3 innings.

Red Sox 5, Yankees 3

Boston

Boston rocked Jimmy Key for four runs in the first inning and defeated New York, but the Red Sox were eliminated from playoff contention when Baltimore beat Toronto.

Key (12-11) gave up five hits in the first inning. The Red Sox scored on singles by Jose Canseco and Bill Haselman and a two-run single by rookie Rudy Pemberton.

Mo Vaughn drove in his 143rd run, tying Jimmie Foxx for second most in one season in Red Sox history.

Clearing the bases

Texas is the only A.L. team without a division pennant… . Garrett Anderson’s homer gave the Angels a franchise-record 190… . The Orioles have hit 253 home runs, 93 of them since July 30.