Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers sealed their berths in the play-offs, while the New York Yankees were eliminated from contention as the post-season picture came closer to being framed on Wednesday.

The Dodgers beat second-placed San Francisco to clinch the National League West crown, while Detroit downed the Chicago White Sox to ensure the Tigers of at least a wild card if they do not hold their current lead in the American League Central.

In other key results as the regular season headed toward its climax, St. Louis and Pittsburgh both lost to keep the Cardinals 1-1/2 games clear atop the NL Central, while Kansas City, Seattle and Oakland were all defeated, damaging their post-season prospects.

Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw tied a career high with his 21st victory of the season as he steered the Dodgers to a 9-1 victory over San Francisco.

Fittingly, the Dodgers claimed their second straight division title thanks to Kershaw (21-3), the probable NL Cy Young Award winner and MVP candidate who has been the catalyst behind their success this season.

Yasiel Puig homered to highlight a four-run sixth inning that effectively sealed the result.

While the Dodgers celebrated, their old rivals, the Yankees, were officially knocked out of play-off contention after a 9-5 defeat at home against Baltimore.

There will be no fairytale finish for retiring great Derek Jeter, who went 0 for 4 as the designated hitter in his penultimate game at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees missed the play-offs in consecutive years for the first time since 1992 and 93. The only other time New York missed the play-offs during the retiring captain’s 20-season big league career was in 2008.

Nelson Cruz had four hits as Baltimore remained 2 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the best record in the AL.

St. Louis missed a chance to shore up their hold on the NL Central title when they lost 3-1 at the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals kept their 1-1/2 game divisional lead over Pittsburgh.

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta (10-5), coming off a one-hit shutout against Cincinnati last week, gave up only two hits in seven innings, and also contributed at the plate, hitting a two-run triple.

Pittsburgh could have closed the gap on St. Louis to half a game but fell 6-2 at Atlanta.

The Pirates also lost catcher Russell Martin to a hamstring strain, which forced him out of the game in the fifth inning.

Pittsburgh starter Jeff Locke (7-6) allowed six runs and 13 baserunners — eight hits and five walks — in only four innings.

A clearing of the benches proved the turning point as Detroit came back to win 6-1 against the White Sox and clinch a post-season berth.

The Tigers lead the AL Central by two games over Kansas City. Detroit were assured of at least a wild-card spot when Seattle lost.