Finding some untapped reserve of heart, the Rays erased a seven-run deficit to the Yankees before taking an 8-7 walk-off win in the 12th to claim the American League Wild Card on Wednesday night.

Mike Napoli hit two homers as the Rangers' 3-1 victory over the Angels on Wednesday gave them a club-record 96th win and home-field advantage for the AL Division Series.

When last they met on this particular stage, Justin Verlander was a raw rookie, Curtis Granderson was a Tiger, CC Sabathia was an Indian, Miguel Cabrera was a current Marlin and Joe Girardi a newly dismissed one.

The great strides that the D-backs and Brewers made in improving their pitching from 2010 to this season have transformed these teams from also-rans to division champions who will meet in the National League Division Series.

Ozzie Guillen was named the Marlins' manager on Wednesday afternoon at Sun Life Stadium. He signed a four-year contract, two days after being released from his deal with the White Sox.

There's little doubt Hanley Ramirez remains one of the biggest keys to a successful new beginning for the Marlins. And it's clear to see their new manager feels the same way.

The Orioles announced Thursday afternoon that Adam Jones has been voted winner of the 2011 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award by members of the local media who cover the team on a regular basis.

The Mariners and A's will open the 2012 season with two games at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, with proceeds from the series assisting that nation's rebuilding efforts.

Outfielder Bubba Starling, the Royals' top pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, was among three of the organization's prospects cited for underage drinking last weekend.

Tim Tolman and the team mutually agreed that Tolman would step down from his post as manager Manny Acta's bench coach. Sandy Alomar Jr. will be the Tribe's bench coach for the 2012 season, barring another development.

Gary Sheffield and more than 40 former players had the chance to visit the Marlins' future home located in the neighborhood of Little Havana, which is more than 80 percent complete, on Wednesday morning.

If the Red Sox and Braves find a way to make it to the postseason, they can take heart in the fact that past World Series champions have overcome late-season slides.

Local product Mike Baxter hit his first Major League home run on Wednesday, and Miguel Batista threw a shutout to help the Mets to a 3-0 win over the Reds in the season finale at Citi Field.

Jose Reyes led off the bottom of the first inning with a bunt single, raising his league-leading average to .337, two points better than that of Ryan Braun. Moments later, Terry Collins lifted Reyes in favor of pinch-runner Justin Turner.

With both Wild Card races coming down to the final day, Wednesday is an unprecedented event in Major League Baseball, with the possibility of a tiebreaker doubleheader on Thursday.

The Royals on Wednesday named former Tigers pitching coach Rick Knapp as their Minor League pitching coordinator.

The Rangers are back in the playoffs, and they know it will be all about pitching. That's what happened last year when outstanding performances from Cliff Lee, C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis drove them to the World Series for the first time in club history.