(Reuters) - The New York Yankees kept their noses in front in the American League East after Raul Ibanez smashed a two-run home run in the ninth inning to tie Tuesday's game against Boston then delivered the game-winning RBI in the 12th.

The 4-3 win kept New York (94-67) a game ahead of Baltimore going into the final game of the regular season and the Yankees will clinch the division with a win on Wednesday or an Orioles' loss.

Baltimore (93-68) kept pace with the Yankees by shutting out Tampa Bay 1-0 despite a team-record 15 strikeouts from Rays' pitcher James Shields.

Red-hot Chris Davis homered for the sixth consecutive game, his 33rd home run of the season, to provide the only run while Baltimore rookie pitcher Miguel Gonzalez threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

In Kansas City, slugger Miguel Cabrera edged toward the triple crown by going 2-for-3 with two RBIs in Detroit's 4-2 loss to the Royals.

The Tigers (87-74) clinched the AL Central on Monday but Cabrera's bid to become the first triple crown winner in 45 years will go down to the wire.

Cabrera raised his batting average to .331 to go with his other league-leading totals of 44 home runs and 139 RBIs.

In the National League, defending World Series champions St. Louis (87-74) failed to clinch a wild card spot after a 3-1 defeat to Cincinnati.

The Cardinals would have punched their ticket to the playoffs with a victory, but can still earn a berth if the Los Angeles Dodgers lose their late game with San Francisco.

If the Dodgers win, the Cardinals' lead will be cut to one with just a game remaining.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)