The Tampa Bay Rays completed an improbable comeback from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Yankees, while relegating the once-first place Red Sox to spectators with an 8-7 win.

The Rays triumph over the AL East-champion Yankees, coupled with Boston's final-inning collapse at Baltimore sent Tampa Bay into the playoffs as the AL wild card team.

Evan Longoria helped power the Rays' rally with three-run blast that highlighted a six-run eighth. He later won it for Tampa Bay in the 12th inning with a solo blast for the final margin.

Dan Johnson had a two-out, pinch-hit two-strike solo home run in the ninth that tied it at 7-all.

It will mark the second straight appearance in the playoffs for the Rays, who will square off with the AL West-champion Rangers.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox, who seemed to be running away from the Rays in the AL East a few weeks ago, had their playoff hopes dashed as the team continued to struggle in the final month of the campaign.

Boston was about to finish off the Orioles, but were stunned in the end with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss.

In Houston, TX, the Cardinals also rallied into the playoffs on the final day of regular season with an 8-0 rout of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

St. Louis (90-72) erased a 10 1-2-game deficit for the NL wild card and entered the game tied with the Braves.

The Cards punched a playoffs ticket after Atlanta succumbed to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 in 13 innings also Wednesday.

Like the Red Sox, the Braves were once considered favorites to land a playoff berth. Atlanta once owned an 8 1-2 game Wild-Card lead in September.

The Cardinals meet the NL East champion Phillies Saturday in Game 1 of their Division Series.

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