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Red Sox loss hands title to Yankees

New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera celebrates with teammates after the Yankees clinched the AL East in Toronto on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

The New York Yankees clinched their ninth consecutive American League East title when the second-place Boston Red Sox lost to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.

The Yankees began the day needing one win or a loss by the Red Sox to wrap up the division championship -- and their 12th straight playoff berth. New York lost 3-2 in Toronto on Wednesday, but Boston's game went final about 30 minutes later.

Last season, New York clinched the AL East title with a win in Boston on the penultimate day of the regular season.

Tigers 6, White Sox 2

At Chicago, Curtis Granderson had three hits and Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez homered to help Detroit Tigers maintain its slim lead in the AL Central.

Twins 8, Red Sox 2

At Boston, Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for Minnesota in the wine that allowed the Yankees to clinch their ninth consecutive AL East title and the Twins to remain one-half game behind Detroit in the AL Central.

Mariners 6, Rangers 3

At Arlington, Texas, Baek Cha-seung allowed two runs and four hits over 6 2-3 innings and Raul Ibanez homered as Seattle eliminated Texas from the AL West race.

Devil Rays 4, Orioles 2

At St Petersburg, Florida, Ty Wigginton helped Tampa Bay snap a season-high, nine-game losing streak, hitting a tie-breaking two-run homer in the eighth inning.

Angels 3, Royals 0

At Kansas City, Missouri, Kelvim Escobar combined with two relievers on a five-hitter and Orlando Cabrera drove in three runs for Kansas City, which learned manager Buddy Bell will be taking a leave of absence for medical tests.

Athletics 4, Indians 3

At Oakland, California, Milton Bradley homered and singled in the tying run, and Frank Thomas hit a go-ahead double to lead Oakland past Cleveland.

Edgar Gonzalez held the San Diego Padres to six hits over seven innings to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 8-2 victory on Wednesday.

The Padres remained a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost 6-4 to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pirates 6, Dodgers 4

At Los Angeles, NL batting leader Freddy Sanchez matched a career high with four hits and Pittsburgh's Shawn Chacon outpitched Greg Maddux.

Brewers 1, Cardinals 0

At Milwaukee, Geoff Jenkins homered leading off the bottom of ninth and rookie Carlos Villanueva combined with two relievers on a four-hitter to lead Milwaukee over St Louis.

Phillies 6, Cubs 2

At Philadelphia, Brett Myers pitched his first complete game in 13 months and Chase Utley hit a two-run homer to lead Philadelphia.

Astros 7, Reds 2

At Houston, Roger Clemens pitched six scoreless innings in his final home start of the season for win No. 348 to lead Houston.

Giants 7, Rockies 4

At Denver, Barry Bonds' pinch-hit, run-scoring single in the eighth broke a tie game and helped San Francisco snap a four-game losing streak.

Marlins 6, Mets 3

At New York, Dontrelle Willis hit two home runs and pitched into the ninth inning to lead Florida.

Braves 7, Nationals 3

At Washington, Brian McCann, Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur homered to lead Atlanta. Lance Cormier (4-5) allowed two runs.
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