ARLINGTON, Texas: Mike Napoli blasted two home runs and knocked in six runs for Texas in an 8-7 victory Sunday over the Los Angeles Angels that clinched Major League Baseball playoff berths for three clubs.
The triumphant Rangers, two-time defending American League champions but losers in the 2010 and 2011 World Series finals, ensured themselves, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles playoff berths by defeating the Angels.
The Rangers, who lost 5-4 to the Angels earlier in the day, improved to 93-66, two games ahead of Oakland in the AL West division with a three-game season-ending series for Texas at Oakland on Monday.
Oakland, which defeated Seattle 5-2 on Sunday, must sweep the Rangers to win the AL West crown but the A’s need only win once to clinch a playoff berth.
Baltimore beat Boston 6-3 and the Yankees beat Toronto 9-6 to do their part to claim American League playoff spots, but in the fight for the AL East division crown they remained deadlocked at 92-67 with three games to play.
Either the Orioles or Yankees must settle for a wild-card playoff berth as a division runner-up.
The Angels rallied to beat Texas 5-4 in the first game of a double-header and seized a 4-0 lead in the first inning of game two on a two-run homer from Mark Trumbo before the Rangers rallied in impressive fashion.
A run-scoring double in the first inning by Josh Hamilton was followed by solo homers from Napoli and David Murphy in the second and a three-run homer by Napoli in the third inning to put Texas ahead 6-4.
Napoli added a two-run double in the fifth inning but Howie Kendrick responded for Los Angeles with a three-run homer in the seventh inning that pulled the Angels within the final margin.
In the opener at Texas, Torii Hunter smacked a two-out, two-run double to the wall in left-centerfield in the ninth inning to produce an Angels victory.
The Rangers squandered a 4-1 lead and a solid pitching effort by Japan’s Yu Darvish, who struck out seven batters, walked only one and scattered nine hits over 6 2/3 innings.
That victory and Tampa Bay’s 6-2 triumph over the Chicago White Sox kept both teams in contention for a wildcard berth but the Angels or Tampa Bay must sweep their final three games and have Oakland lose three times to Texas.
The AL Central division champion will claim the fifth and final playoff spot, with Detroit needing only one victory from three games at Kansas City or one White Sox loss at Cleveland to clinch that division title and playoff spot.
The Orioles, enjoying their winningest season since 1997, and Yankees did their parts to ensure a playoff spot by winning afternoon contests.
Balitmore seized a 5-0 lead in the first three innings and rolled to victory with Nate McLouth, J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis all hitting homers for the host Orioles.
At Toronto, the Yankees battled back from a 5-1 deficit.
Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki’s sacrifice fly scored Eduardo Nunez in the seventh inning. Robinson Cano followed with a double to score Derek Jeter from second and Alex Rodriguez scored from third on a wild pitch to equalize at 5-5.
Nunez’s sacrifice fly and a Jeter single each added runs in the eighth and Curtis Granderson singled in two more key runs in the ninth for New York.
Washington, Atlanta, Cincinnati and San Francisco have secured National League playoff spots and the reigning World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals moved closer to taking the last spot by beating Washington 10-4.
The Cardinals could clinch on Monday with a victory and loss by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Washington needs one victory or Atlanta loss in the last three days of the six-month season to clinch the NL East division crown.
Rangers, Yankees, Orioles nail playoff berths
Rangers, Yankees, Orioles nail playoff berths
Rising Turkish and Indonesian stars awarded wildcards for 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Zeynep Sonmez and Janice Tjen add further international depth to elite WTA 500 field taking part from Jan. 31- Feb. 7 at Zayed Sports City
- Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in good form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, where she defeated 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round
ABU DHABI: The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has confirmed rising Turkish star Zeynep Sonmez and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen as wildcard entries for the 2026 tournament, adding further global representation to the growing field for the WTA 500 event from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7.
Both players arrive in Abu Dhabi with strong international followings and increasing momentum on the professional circuit, underlining the tournament’s reputation as a platform where emerging talent from across the world competes alongside established stars on one of women’s tennis’ most exciting stages.
Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in particularly hot form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, earlier this month before stunning 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round and then falling to Yulia Putintseva in a stormy third round, three-set encounter.
Tjen, already one of Indonesia’s most successful players of the professional era and the current world No. 59, has continued her rise through the international ranks with a series of impressive performances across the WTA circuit.
A second-round loser at the Australian Open, the 23-year-old’s wildcard entry reflects both her growing profile and the increasing strength and visibility of tennis in Southeast Asia, a region that continues to produce new talent and passionate fanbases.
The announcements build on a strong list of early confirmations already revealed for the fourth tournament. Defending champion Belinda Bencic (world No. 10) will return to Abu Dhabi as she bids for a third Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title, having lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025.
The Olympic gold medallist remains unbeaten at the tournament and returns following a standout comeback season on the WTA Tour.
Rising star Alexandra Eala has also been confirmed, reinforcing the event’s position as a showcase for the next generation of elite women’s tennis.
Tjen said: “I’m really excited to be coming to Abu Dhabi and grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a high-level tournament. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is an event I’ve followed closely, and it means a lot to be able to test myself against some of the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to experiencing the atmosphere in front of the fans.”
Sonmez, aged 23, was similarly thrilled to be included in the elite line-up, adding: “Receiving a wildcard for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a great honor. This tournament brings together an incredible field every year, and I’m proud to represent Turkey on such a prestigious stage, and I’m ready to give my absolute best on the court in Abu Dhabi.”
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at event organizers MARI, said: “Wildcards are an important part of what makes the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open special. They allow us to shine a spotlight on exciting players from different parts of the world while continuing to build a world-class field.
“Janice and Zeyneb both bring strong followings and real competitive quality, and they complement a line-up that already includes established champions and some of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour.”
