NEW YORK — Tampa Bay decided it would rather have two chances to earn an AL wild-card berth rather than a home game in the event of a three-way tie.

Cleveland would host the Rays in a tiebreaker game Monday if there is a three-way deadlock for the two AL berths, and the loser would play at Texas on Tuesday for the second spot in the postseason, Major League Baseball said Friday.

Because each team split season series against the two others, winning percentage in games among all three was used to determine tiebreaker placement. Cleveland (7-5) had the highest at .583, followed by Tampa Bay (7-6) at .538 and Texas (5-8) at .385.

Cardinals rule out Craig for first roundST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals have ruled out Allen Craig for at least for the first round of the postseason.Craig has been sidelined with a mid-foot sprain since early this month.Matt Adams, a former Slippery Rock University standout, has blossomed at first base since Craig was hurt rounding a base in Cincinnati on Sept. 4, with eight homers and 15 RBIs.

Perez loses role as Cleveland closerMINNEAPOLIS — Former All-Star reliever Chris Perez has lost his job as the Cleveland Indians’ closer.Perez allowed four runs and four hits in Thursday’s 6-5 win over Minnesota, retiring just two batters. He was 25 saves in 30 chances but has a 7.52 ERA since Aug. 1, raising his season average to 4.33Manager Terry Francona said he hasn’t ruled out a return to closing in the playoffs, if the Indians make it to the postseason.

Wedge will not return to MarinersSEATTLE — Seattle manager Eric Wedge has told the Mariners he will not return for next season.The Mariners said Friday that Wedge will manage the final three games of the season against Oakland.Wedge managed Cleveland from 2003-09 and was hired by Seattle in October 2010.Seattle, which has never reached the World Series, entered the final weekend 70-89, assured of its fourth straight losing season.

Pryor progressing from concussionALAMEDA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor took another step in his recovery from a concussion and faces one final test before getting clearance to play Sunday.Pryor was approved for full contact in practice and took increased reps while splitting time with Matt Flynn on Friday. Coach Dennis Allen said Pryor is making “a lot of progress” and did not rule out the possibility that he could start in Oakland’s home game against Washington this week.

Langer fires 63 on Champions TourPEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Bernhard Langer birdied his first four holes and finished with a 9-under 63 to open a four-stroke lead Friday in the Champions Tour’s First Tee Open.The 56-year-old German star, a two-time winner this year, had nine birdies in his bogey-free round at Del Monte Country Club. He had a 6-under 30 on the back nine — his opening nine.