Nelson Cruz received a standing ovation in his first at-bat, but the fans headed for the exits after his final plate appearance. The outfielder recorded the final out to conclude the Rangers’ season without a Wild Card berth in Monday night’s 5-2 loss to the Rays in what could possibly be his final game with Texas.

Third baseman Evan Longoria has been the Rays’ most clutch hitter and he once again delivered when they needed it on Monday night against the Rangers.

The Rangers’ extraordinary final week is over and so is their season. For the first time in four years, the Rangers are not going to be advancing to the American League playoffs. Instead they’ll be sitting home and watching after their seven-game winning streak came to an end with a 5-2 loss to the Rays in Monday night’s tiebreaker at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Despite being hampered down the stretch by groin and abdominal injuries, Miguel Cabrera wanted to keep playing — “Eight days, that’s too many days off,” he said — and now the Tigers will see how he fares in the ALDS against the A’s beginning on Friday night.

After so many years of misery, and now with a taste of what is possible lingering in their mouths, the Tribe wants to have staying power in the American League Central.

From the day they first met in Spring Training camp, Dusty Baker has taken to referring to his new center fielder as “Mr. Choo.” But Jay Bruce offers another surname for Shin-Soo Choo, who has been the spark atop the batting order for the National League Wild Card winners: “Mr. Consistency.”

The Indians enter Wednesday’s American League Wild Card Game without a defined closer. Justin Masterson may be a logical candidate, but manager Terry Francona isn’t yet ready to name his ninth-inning guy.

The wrap remained around Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips’ left shin on Monday. The limp? At least that was gone.

Jeff Manto, who parted ways with the White Sox over the weekend, spoke to MLB.com by phone from his home Monday night, showing the same upbeat demeanor he featured even in the toughest times this past season.

Both clubs in the National League Wild Card Game are toting some historical baggage, but they’d both be happy to carry it along to St. Louis for a Division Series later this week.

A’s manager Bob Melvin is engaging, always present and polite. He’s secure in his thoughts, thoughtful in his answers and truly enjoys talking shop. Just don’t ask him to talk about himself.

If Dale Sveum wasn’t the right manager for the Cubs and the up-and-coming young players, who is? Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations, said the search will begin on Tuesday when the club starts asking for permission to talk to potential candidates.

When the Reds’ Johnny Cueto and the Pirates’ Francisco Liriano take the PNC Park mound for Tuesday night’s National League Wild Card Game, they will participate in Major League Baseball’s first elimination game featuring both starters from that Caribbean country.

Dale Sveum is well aware of the prospects in the Cubs’ system, and was looking forward to the day when they joined the Major League team. But Sveum will only be able to watch from afar. On Monday, he was dismissed as the Cubs manager after two seasons.

The Chicago Cubs dismissed manager Dale Sveum on Monday morning after two seasons with him at the helm, and the search for the Cubs’ 53rd manager will begin on Tuesday.

Ron Gardenhire will remain manager of the Twins on a two-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.

Rays manager Joe Maddon has never been one to follow. And now in his eighth season at the helm — and fourth postseason appearance — he has always strived to make the Rays’ clubhouse a place where players wanted to be. At times he’s gone to great lengths to accomplish that mission.