Latest Scores and Standings from the MLB Playoff Race

With pennant races across Major League Baseball heating up, nearly every game on Thursday's schedule has some playoff implications.

An extra playoff spot looms for the first time in baseball history, leaving fewer teams mathematically eliminated from the postseason—and we're almost halfway through September. 

For these teams in pennant races, the pressure is hitting an all-time high. Playoff glory is the motivator for every player in spring training, and we've seen how unpredictable October baseball can be.

With that in mind, here's a look into all of Thursday night's action. 

Baltimore Orioles 3, Tampa Bay Rays 2 - F/14

The red-hot Orioles stayed that way, finishing a home sweep of the Rays and putting themselves in a controlling position going forward.

Baltimore's victory came thanks to a bloop single from rookie third baseman Manny Machado in the 14th inning, capping off the Orioles' seventh win in their last 10 games.

Starter Wei-Yin Chen pitched 7.1 strong innings on Thursday, striking out seven while giving up just two earned runs before giving way to the bullpen.

A victory puts the Orioles in a tie with the New York Yankees for the AL East lead, while the Rays loss forces them four games behind in the race for the final wild-card spot. 

With just 19 games remaining on the slate, Tampa's upcoming series against the Yankees will be critical. If the Rays can take two of three or even sweep the Bronx Bombers, they could have a shot at sneaking in the postseason.

If not, Tampa will likely be watching the playoffs at home.

Orioles: 81-62 (tied for first in AL East, tied for second in wild card)

Rays: 77-66 (third in AL East, fourth in wild card)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6, Oakland Athletics 0 - F

A seven-inning shutdown performance from Jered Weaver and timely hitting from Torii Hunter gave the Angels a much-needed win on Thursday.

However, it's a sprained right wrist for Oakland star Yoenis Cespedes that's the true story heading out of this series. 

According to San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser, the underrated rookie is "day-to-day" with his injury, but Oakland can ill afford for Cespedes to miss many games. 

A home series against the contending Orioles awaits the A's as they sit precariously atop the American League Wild Card standings.

With just 24 hours left for Cespedes to heal, this could be a momentum-shifting injury in the playoff chase.

Angels: 78-68 (third in AL West, third in wild card)

Athletics: 82-61 (second in AL West, first in wild card)

New York Yankees 2,  Boston Red Sox 0 - F

Behind a scintillating performance from Phil Hughes, the Yankees came away with an uncharacteristically quick victory over the Red Sox Thursday night.

Hughes went 7.2 innings strong, giving up no runs while striking out seven Boston batters, while opposing pitcher Felix Doubront gave up just two runs despite struggling with control all night.

Shortstop Derek Jeter also had a magical night, battling through injury to tie Willie Mays for 10th on the all-time career-hits list. 

The win puts New York back in a tie with the Orioles after the upstart Baltimore squad beat Tampa earlier in the day. 

Yankees: 81-62 (tied for first in AL East, tied for second in wild card)

Red Sox: 64-80 (fifth in AL East, ninth in wild card)

Cleveland Indians 5, Texas Rangers 4 - F

Despite Josh Hamilton being out of the lineup with an injury on Thursday, the Rangers still managed 11 hits and were ahead 4-2 going into the ninth inning. 

Unfortunately for Texas, closer Joe Nathan failed to finish the job. Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and second baseman Jason Kipnis both slammed home runs with no outs, putting the Indians up 5-4, and the Rangers couldn't make the comeback. 

The loss represents a huge missed opportunity for Texas, as the team could have extended its lead to four games over the Athletics. Nevertheless, the Rangers still sit comfortably with the best record in the American League and should easily reach the postseason. 

Indians: 60-84 (tied for fifth in AL Central, tied for last in wild card)

Rangers: 85-58 (first in AL West)

Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox - PPD

This game was postponed due to rain and will be made up on Sept. 17 at 1:10 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tigers: 75-67 (second in AL Central, fifth in wild card)

White Sox: 76-66 (first in AL Central)

Houston Astros 6, Philadelphia Phillies 4 - F

Another bullpen implosion happened in Houston as Phillies relievers Phillippe Aumont and Jacob Diekman gave up three runs in the eighth inning to blow a 4-3 lead. 

The late-game bullpen implosion overshadowed great performances in middle relief as starting pitcher Tyler Cloyd failed to make it out of the third inning. 

For a Phillies team that is battling back from a seemingly insurmountable hole, this loss will be a huge blow. Despite sitting just 3.5 games back in the hunt, Philadelphia now has five teams at least a half-game ahead in the standings.

Losses in winnable games against opponents like Houston are the bane of every contender's existence. It's vital that the Phillies move on from this loss and get back in the win column in their next game.

Phillies: 72-72 (third in NL East, tied for fifth in wild card)

Astros: 46-98 (sixth in NL Central, last in wild card)

St. Louis Cardinals 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 1 - F

The Cardinals and Dodgers began their four-game series in the mix for the last NL Wild Card spot, but both teams were on a three-game losing streak. The Cardinals broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning via an Allen Craig RBI single.

Shane Victorino took the plate in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on second. He flied out to left field to end the game.

The win gave the Cardinals a two-game lead over the Dodgers for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

High-profile acquisition Josh Beckett only gave up one run, but he couldn't get out of the sixth inning for Los Angeles. He gave up seven hits before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn was given his first start since Aug. 24. He gave up five hits in 6.0 innings and earned the win, pushing his record to 15-7.

Jason Motte picked up save No. 34 on the season.

Cardinals: 76-68 (second in NL Central, second in wild card)

Dodgers: 74-70 (second in NL West, third in wild card and 2.0 games behind St. Louis)

On Deck for Friday

Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m. ET

Detroit at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay at New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET

Philadelphia at Houston, 8:05 p.m. ET

Seattle at Texas, 8:05 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m. ET

Chicago White Sox at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m. ET

Baltimore at Oakland, 10:05 p.m. ET

St. Louis at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. ET

American League Standings

AL East	W	L	PCT	GB
Baltimore	81	62	.566	-
NY Yankees	81	62	.566	-
Tampa Bay	77	66	.538	4

AL Central	W	L	PCT	GB
Chicago W. Sox	76	66	.535	-
Detroit	75	67	.528	1
Kansas City	65	77	.458	11

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Texas	85	58	.594	-
Oakland	82	61	.573	3
L.A. Angels	78	66	.542	7.5

AL Wild Card	W	L	PCT	GB
Oakland	82	61	.573	-
NY Yankees	81	62	.566	-
Baltimore	81	62	.566	-
L.A. Angels	78	66	.542	3.5
Tampa Bay	77	66	.538	4
Detroit	75	67	.528	5.5

National League Standings

NL East	W	L	PCT	GB
Washington	89	54	.622	-
Atlanta	81	63	.563	8.5
Philadelphia	72	72	.500	17.5

NL Central	W	L	PCT	GB
Cincinnati	87	57	.604	-
St. Louis	76	68	.528	11.5
Pittsburgh	72	70	.507	14
Milwaukee	72	71	.503	14.5

NL West	W	L	PCT	GB
San Francisco	81	62	.566	-
L.A. Dodgers	74	70	.514	7
Arizona	71	72	.497	10

NL Wild Card	W	L	PCT	GB
Atlanta	81	63	.563	-
St. Louis	76	68	.528	-
L.A. Dodgers	74	70	.514	2
Pittsburgh	72	70	.507	2.5
Milwaukee	72	71	.503	3
Philadelphia	72	72	.500	3.5
Arizona	71	72	.497	4
San Diego	69	75	.479	6.5