Vazquez lasted just four innings in a 3-9 loss to Minnesota that pulled the Twins within 1 1/2 games of Chicago in the American League Central race on Tuesday night.

Tim Wakefield outpitched Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon needed just one pitch to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to help the Red Sox beat the Indians 5-4 and clinch at least a wildcard berth.

Boston's win ensured that Derek Jeter won't be playing in October for the first time in his career. Even though the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 3-1, New York was eliminated from playoff contention after 13 straight postseason appearances.

"It basically boils down to we weren't good enough," Jeter said. "That's the only way you can put it. Our team didn't play well enough the whole season in order to get to where we needed to be. It's a huge disappointment. That's pretty much all you can say."

In Boston, Jason Bay's go-ahead single helped the Red Sox clinch. Wakefield (10-11) allowed four runs and six hits in six innings, striking out six. It's his 10th season in Boston with 10 or more wins, tying Roger Clemens for the most in franchise history.

"I feel like a kid, jumping around spraying champagne with all these guys," Bay said. "It's been a different journey for me."

The Red Sox still have a chance to win the AL East, where Tampa Bay holds a three-game lead after sweeping the Orioles in a doubleheader.

Chance to repeat

Once the much-maligned owners of an 86-year championship drought, the Red Sox have won two titles in the last four seasons and missed the playoffs once since 2003. They have not won back-to-back World Series since 1915-16, but they'll have a chance to repeat when the playoffs start next week.

Lee (22-3), the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award, had won 11 straight decisions in 13 starts since picking up his second loss on July 6. He allowed five runs and nine hits with three walks in seven innings, striking out eight it was his third consecutive start allowing four or more runs.

"He wasn't as sharp as we've seen him," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "It's that time of year. That might have something to do with it."

In Minneapolis, Vazquez (12-15) gave up five runs and seven hits, including a two-run homer and a triple to Jason Kubel, whose Twins practically need a sweep to position themselves for a fifth division title in seven years.

"I know Javy is a good pitcher," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "You don't pitch that many innings and strike out 200 batters and not be a good pitcher. We didn't help him out much today."

Kubel went 3-for-4 with two homers in the game, going back-to-back with Delmon Young off Boone Logan in the seventh to put the game out of reach and start this crucial three-game series in emphatic fashion.

Scott Baker (10-4) gave up one run and five hits in seven innings, easily outshining Vazquez, whose ability to come through in pressure situations has been questioned for 10 years, most recently on Sunday by his own manager.

"I don't read the newspapers," Vazquez said when asked about Guillen's comments. "I don't read the papers or anything."

In Toronto, Mike Mussina pitched five shutout innings to earn his 19th win and Jason Giambi homered. It wasn't enough to keep New York's slim postseason hopes alive.