Toronto Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson watches his two run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016 in Toronto. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson watches his two run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016 in Toronto. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP) Credit: Mark Blinch

Toronto — Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer, Aaron Sanchez struck out 10 and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Tuesday night in the opener of their AL wild-card showdown.

Ezequiel Carrera also homered as the Blue Jays won for the sixth time in eight games. They lead the wild-card standings by two games over the Orioles with five to play.

Baltimore began the day two games ahead of Detroit and Seattle for the league’s final playoff spot.

Orioles slugger Chris Davis was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Will Little after striking out against Joe Biagini in the seventh, the third time in three at-bats Davis was caught looking. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter also was tossed after he came out to argue.

Nationals 4, Diamondbacks 2

Washington — Max Scherzer struck out 10 and allowed two runs in six innings and Anthony Rendon hit a go-ahead three-run homer as Washington beat Arizona t to inch closer to home-field advantage in the NL Division Series.

Scherzer (19-7) was not at his Cy Young Award candidate best, uncharacteristically missing spots and allowing six hits, including a leadoff home run by Jean Segura. But the right-hander struck out six straight as he reassumed control of an important game for Washington, which dropped its magic number for home-field advantage against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS to five.

Tigers 12, Indians 0

Detroit— Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in five runs in the first two innings, and Justin Verlander struck out 12 to lift Detroit against a Cleveland lineup full of backups.

The Indians clinched the AL Central title on Monday night in Detroit, and their starting lineup Tuesday was without Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Mike Napoli and Jose Ramirez. Detroit took full advantage, beating Cleveland for only the third time all year and pulling within a game of Baltimore for the American League’s second wild card.

Mets 12, Marlins 1

Miami— Noah Syndergaard struck out eight and allowed one run in six innings, and the Mets totaled 19 hits to beat grieving Miami.

Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes each hit his 31st homer for the Mets, who began the game with a half-game lead over the Giants in the battle for the first NL wild-card berth, with the Cardinals 1½ games behind.

The game was the Marlins’ second since the death of ace Jose Fernandez in a boating accident.

Astros 8, Mariners 4

Houston — George Springer had three hits, including a two-run double during a six-run sixth inning, and Houston beat Seattle.

The victory leaves Seattle two games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card and cuts Houston’s deficit in the race to 2½ games.

Cubs 6, Pirates 4

Pittsburgh— Chris Coghlan hit a three-run triple and John Lackey worked in and out of trouble over five innings, helping Chicago Cubs beat reeling Pittsburgh.

Coghlan’s second-inning drive off the wall in right-center against Ryan Vogelsong (3-7) gave the NL Central champions all the offense they would need to win for the seventh time in their last eight games. Chicago improved to 101-56, the club’s highest victory total since it won 104 games in 1910.

White Sox 13, Rays 6

Chicago — Melky Cabrera and Leury Garcia homered to back Chris Sale and Chicago. Sale (17-9) allowed three runs and eight hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings.

Royals 4, Twins 3 (11)

Kansas City, Mo.— Billy Burns’ sacrifice fly scored Raul Mondesi in the 11th inning as Kansas City defeated Minnesota, staving off postseason elimination.