SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants finally put an end to a season that threatened to go into extra innings, bringing clarity to the National League playoff picture while dashing the hopes of the upstart San Diego Padres.After two failed chances at clinching the NL West title, the Giants secured their first division crown since 2003 with a 3-0 victory against the Padres behind Jonathan Sanchez's five scoreless innings and rally-igniting triple.Both the Giants and Padres would have been assured playoff spots if the Atlanta Braves had lost earlier in the day to the Philadelphia Phillies, but the Braves held on for an 8-7 win that put them in position to earn the wild card if San Diego lost.The Giants will host Atlanta in an NL Division Series opener Thursday. The Phillies will host the Cincinnati Reds in the other NLDS opener Wednesday."We don't want to be handed anything," said Giants closer Brian Wilson, who notched his major league-leading 48th save. "We don't want to know we're in the playoffs in the third inning. It's not as fun."The American League playoffs pairings were settled as well when the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 8-4, denying them a chance to win the AL East. About an hour later, the Tampa Bay Rays earned the division championship outright when they edged the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in 12 innings.The Rays host the Texas Rangers in one AL Division Series beginning Wednesday. The Yankees, who lost eight of their last 11, open Wednesday at the Minnesota Twins."It would be stupid to say it doesn't matter how you finish," Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte said. "We would have liked to get this thing done, but we didn't. The bottom line is, we're the world champs until someone knocks us off."Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.
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