Boston Red Sox's Mitch Moreland runs the bases on a three-run home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Robert Stephenson in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Boston Red Sox's Mitch Moreland runs the bases on a three-run home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Robert Stephenson in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Credit: John Minchillo

Cincinnati — The Boston Red Sox took another step toward a division title, putting up another shutout that ended with a feel-good moment for their manager.

Mitch Moreland ended his long slump with a three-run homer, Eduardo Rodriguez pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning, and Boston beat the Cincinnati Reds, 5-0, on Saturday.

Boston has won 13 of 16, holding a four-game lead over the Yankees with eight to play. The Red Sox are trying to win back-to-back AL East titles for the first time since divisional realignment in 1969. They’ve got their best record of the season at 90-64, reaching 90 wins for the second year in a row.

It ended with a ninth inning that was unlike anything manager John Farrell has experienced. His son, Luke, relieved for the Reds, giving them a special moment in a competitive situation.

“It was somewhat surreal,” he said. “Very proud. You’re standing there looking through a netting in the dugout, and you think you’re maybe watching him throw back in Little League, in high school. To see it happen on a major league mound — a special day, a special inning.”

The reliever walked two in a scoreless inning and glanced back at the Boston dugout, momentarily removing his cap, as he headed for the Reds dugout.

“There was a little added pressure for me,” said Luke Farrell, who like his father wears No. 52. “That’s the first time we’ve been on the same field together. You want to do well for your team.”

The last time a manager faced his son as an opposing player was 2004, when the Giants’ Felipe Alou went against his son Moises of the Cubs.

“There’s a major conflict going on inside,” John Farrell said. “You’re always pulling for your guys, but that’s a unique arrangement there.”

The Red Sox got what they wanted, closing in on a title with an offense that’s an anomaly in the homer-heavy major leagues. Moreland’s shot off Robert Stephenson (5-6) was the 160th by a Red Sox, fewest in the AL.

Rodriguez (6-6) has given up two or fewer earned runs in each of his last four starts, the best stretch of his career.

Yankees 5, Blue Jays 1

Toronto — New York returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence, clinching no worse than a wild card as Greg Bird’s three-run homer led them over Toronto.

Sonny Gray (10-11) allowed one run and four hits in six innings as the Yankees won for the 11th time in 14 games.

Brewers 4, Cubs 3 (10)

Milwaukee — Travis Shaw hit a two-run homer with one out in the 10th inning off All-Star closer Wade Davis, lifting Milwaukee over Chicago.

After losing straight days in the 10th to the Cubs, the Brewers moved back within 4½ games of NL Central-leading Chicago. Milwaukee began the day two games behind Colorado for the second wild-card spot.

Astros 6, Angels 2

Houston — Evan Gattis hit a three-run homer to back a solid start by Charlie Morton and Houston further dampened the AL wild-card hopes of the Los Angeles Angels.

Justin Upton hit two home runs for the Angels, who matched a season worst with their sixth straight loss. Los Angeles began the day 3½ games behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot.

Indians 11, Mariners 4

Seattle — Francisco Lindor led off the game with his 33rd home run, the most by a Cleveland middle infielder, and the Indians routed Seattle for their 28th victory in 30 games.

Carlos Carrasco (17-6) matched teammate Cory Kluber and Boston’s Chris Sale for the most wins in the AL, allowing one run and six hits in 5⅔ innings.

Twins 10, Tigers 3

Detroit — Zack Granite hit his first major league home run, a three-run drive that capped an eight-run eighth inning for Minnesota in a win over Detroit.

Minnesota overcame a 3-1 seventh-inning deficit and won its third straight following a three-game sweep at the New York Yankees.

Braves 4, Phillies 2

Atlanta — Pinch-hitter Johan Camargo doubled in two runs in the three-run eighth inning, Rio Ruiz homered and Atlanta beat Philadelphia.

Royals 8, White Sox 2

Chicago — Alex Gordon homered, Whit Merrifield drove in three runs and Danny Duffy pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Royals over Chicago, keeping Kansas City’s slim playoff hopes alive.

Pirates 11, Cardinals 6

Pittsburgh — Lance Lynn allowed eight runs in the first inning and St. Louis slipped up against Pittsburgh.

The loss ended the Cardinals’ four-game winning streak.

Nationals 4, Mets 3 (10)

New York — Daniel Murphy homered in the 10th inning and the Nationals’ bullpen followed Stephen Strasburg with five scoreless innings, lifting Washington over New York in Noah Syndergaard’s return to the Mets.

Murphy led off the 10th with his 23rd home run of the season, taking reliever Jacob Rhame (0-1) deep with a shot that clanked off the home-run apple in center field. It was Murphy’s ninth homer against the Mets, and he is hitting .393 (53 for 135) with 35 RBIs in 37 games versus his former team.

Syndergaard (1-2) started for New York and pitched a scoreless inning. It was his first action in the majors since partially tearing his right lat muscle on April 30. Matt Harvey took over for New York and allowed three runs in four innings.

Strasburg (14-4) struck out six over five innings, giving up three runs and seven hits.

Sean Doolittle pitched the 10th for Washington, completing his 20th save in 20 chances since being acquired from Oakland.