SEATTLE – Seattle manager Eric Wedge has told the Mariners he will not return for next season.

The Mariners said on Friday that Wedge will manage the final three games of the season against Oakland.

“I accept Eric’s decision not to return and thank him for his hard work here the past three years. I want to wish him and his family all the best in the future,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement released by the team.

Wedge was brought in to replace Don Wakamatsu — who was fired during the 2010 season — because of the track record he built in Cleveland taking the Indians through a rebuilding process and nearly leading them to the World Series. But the rebuilding never seemed to end in Seattle with a constant influx of young prospects from the minors being called up and some veterans failing to meet expectations.

Seattle, which has never reached the World Series, entered the final weekend 70-89, assured of its fourth straight losing season.

Wedge complained this week that he felt he was left “hanging out there” by the organization on his status for 2014.

“But I’m coming here and doing my job,” Wedge had said Wednesday. “You know how passionate I am about this team, and these players in particular, and this organization. The unfortunate part about how it’s being handled is the effect it has on the players. That’s why we’re all here, is for the players.”

Seattle was on the fringes of contention in July, winning eight straight games, when Wedge suffered a minor stroke.

He was helped off the field during batting practice on July 22 and was rushed to a hospital. He was diagnosed with a mild stroke the next day and began a monthlong recovery process that called for changes in his diet, exercise and dealing with the stress of his occupation. Bench coach Robby Thompson filled in while Wedge was out.

Indians pound Twins

AP
MINNEAPOLIS

Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera both had two doubles and Jason Kipnis was a homer short of the cycle as the Cleveland Indians had 17 hits in a 12-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

With the win and Tampa Bay’s loss at Toronto, the Indians moved into a tie with the Rays for the first AL wild card, one game ahead of Texas.

Blue Jays 6, Rays 3

In Toronto, R.A. Dickey slowed Tampa Bay’s stretch run, leading the Blue Jays to a victory that stopped the Rays’ seven-game winning streak.

Munenori Kawasaki went 0-for-2 for the Blue Jays and scored a run.

Rangers 5, Angels 3

In Arlington, Alex Rios had a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, and Texas finally gained some ground in the AL wild-card race with a victory over Los Angeles.

Yankees 3, Astros 2

In Houston, David Robertson got the save as Mariano Rivera looked on, and New York got a glimpse of its future in a win that sent the Astros to their team-record 13th consecutive loss.

Red Sox 12, Orioles 3

In Baltimore, Clay Buchholz allowed three runs over seven innings and AL East champion Boston routed Baltimore to move closer to securing home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 53rd homer in the sixth for the Orioles.

Royals 6, White Sox 1

In Chicago, James Shields struck out 10 and scattered four hits over seven innings for his 100th career win, and Kansas City’s victory ensured the White Sox their worst record since 1970.

Athletics 8, Mariners 2

In Seattle, Bartolo Colon outpitched Felix Hernandez to reach 18 wins for the fifth time in his career, Brandon Moss hit a three-run homer in the first inning.

Brown passes away

AP
DETROIT

Gates Brown, an outfielder who played his entire 13-year major league career with the Detroit Tigers, has died. He was 74.

The team confirmed Brown’s death on Friday.

Brown, jailed for armed robbery in Ohio before starting his baseball career, played on Detroit’s 1968 team that won the World Series, and was part of another title with the Tigers in 1984 as a batting coach.

Brown never played more than 125 games in a season, but he made a nice contribution during the title year of ’68, when he hit .370 in 67 games. He ended up playing 1,051 games in his career, finishing with a .257 average and 84 home runs.

His career with the Tigers began in 1963, a few years after his prison term. He had been helped by a prison guard who had noticed his ability.

He hit a career-high 15 home runs in 123 games in 1964 and was known for his pinch-hitting ability.