Junior Caminero's walk-off homer sends Rays to playoff-clinching 3-1 win over Astros

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Junior Caminero hit a game-ending, two-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a playoff berth with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Caminero’s 417-foot shot to left-center off Bryan Abreu (6-4) was his 40th of the season and sparked a joyous celebration at the plate. The 23-year-old hit 45 homers in 2025, his first full year in the majors, and he joins Aaron Judge as the only active major leaguers with consecutive 40-homer seasons.

AL-best Tampa Bay (88-59) became the first team in the majors to secure a playoff spot.

Bryan Baker (2-2) worked a scoreless ninth.

Victor Mesa Jr. homered in the fifth for the Rays, but that was one of only two Tampa Bay hits through eight innings.

In the ninth, Jonathan Aranda doubled off the right-field wall with one out. He was replaced by pinch-runner Jonny DeLuca, and Caminero walked it off on the next pitch.

The Astros scored in the fourth against Drew Rasmussen when Isaac Paredes doubled and came home on a grounder by Yainer Diaz.

Rasmussen worked seven innings, allowing eight hits. He struck out four and walked none.

Opener Miguel Ullola worked the first for Houston, Bryan King got the next four outs and Ethan Pecko worked the next 5 2/3 innings before giving way to Abreu in the ninth.

Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez, who is chasing the AL triple crown but trails Caminero by two homers, missed the game after twisting his right ankle in Thursday’s win at Philadelphia. Manager Joe Espada said the injury isn’t considered serious.

RHP Peter Lambert (8-8, 3.67 ERA) starts for the Astros on Saturday against Rays LHP Ian Seymour (9-6, 4.33).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Houston Astros' Cam Smith connects for a single off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Victor Mesa Jr. reacts after his solo home run off Houston Astros pitcher Ethan Pecko during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero celebrates his two-run home run off Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu with Victor Mesa Jr. (25) during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, right, hugs manager Kevin Cash after the team defeated the Houston Astros during a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero celebrates after his game-winning home run off Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Donovan Walton hit a walk-off two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Athletics a 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Lawrence Butler had three hits, including a two-run home run in the third inning and a double in the ninth for the Athletics. Jeff McNeil reached base three times, had two hits, an RBI, and scored twice.

Julio Rodríguez’s RBI single in the 10th inning gave the Mariners a 5-4 lead before Walton ended the game with his homer off Eduard Bazardo (3-4).

Behind by two runs, Seattle’s Josh Naylor reached first base on a fielding error by reliever Scott Blewett in the sixth inning. On the next at-bat, pinch-hitter Lázaro Montes sent a 430-foot shot over the right-center wall to tie the game 4-all.

Butler, hitless in his last 16 plate appearances, hit a two-run home run on a full count in the third inning to give the A’s a 4-2 lead.

Cal Raleigh knocked in a run with a base hit in the first inning to open the scoring.

After Henry Bolte hit a single and stole second base, McNeil’s double to right-center field brought him home in the first inning to tie the score at 1-1. McNeil scored from third on a throwing error to first base by Cole Young.

Seattle's Dominic Canzone had two hits, including a triple in the fifth inning.

Naylor had two base hits, a steal, and scored twice for Seattle.

Chris Roycroft (2-0) pitched the 10th for the win.

The teams play the second game of their weekend series on Saturday, with Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (11-9, 4.03 ERA) facing Athletics LHP Gage Jump (6-10, 5.12).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Athletics' Lawrence Butler runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Seattle Mariners' Lazaro Montes celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Seattle Mariners third baseman Weston Wilson fields the ball hit by Athletics' Zack Gelof during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)