Baltimore ? The New York Yankees got what they wanted: home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs and a coveted day off.

New York’s Alfonso Soriano didn’t reach his goal, but was relieved to put his quest for 40 homers behind him.

New York clinched home-field advantage, using home runs by Rondell White and Jason Giambi to beat Baltimore, 6-1, Sunday.

Soriano went 0-for-5 and finished with 39 home runs. He was trying to join Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco and Alex Rodriguez as the only players in major league history to have 40 homers and 40 steals in a single season.

He struck out on three pitches against Jorge Julio on his final chance in the ninth inning.

“It’s gone. My mind now is clear and ready for the playoffs,” he said. “Now I don’t have to think about 40-40 all the time. I’m more relaxed now.”

Soriano did, however, set the franchise record for at-bats in a season (696), breaking the mark of 692 set by Bobby Richardson in 1962. He also led the AL in hits (209), steals (41) and runs (128).

“I’m happy that I had an unbelievable year,” he said. “Everybody says congratulations for the year I have.”

The Yankees’ fifth straight victory put them at 103-58, their best record since 1998.

Athletics 8, Rangers 7

Arlington, Texas Barry Zito (23-5) allowed one run and three singles in six innings. He led the league in victories and had the most wins by an AL left-hander since Frank Viola’s 24 for Minnesota in 1988.

New York Shortstop Derek Jeter, left, and second baseman Alfonso Soriano celebrate the Yankees' 6-1 win over Baltimore. With the win in the regular-season finale Sunday at Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Yankees secured home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. Soriano, however, failed to hit a home run in his last game to have a 40-homers, 40-steal season.

Angels 7, Mariners 6

Anaheim, Calif. Troy Glaus hit a grand slam in the first off Ismael Valdes (8-12), and Aaron Sele gave up two runs and three hits in 4 1/3 innings in his first game since coming off the disabled list. He is not on the roster for the first round of the playoffs. Anaheim, which finished with its best record ever at 99-63, is in the postseason for the first time since 1986. Mark Lukasiewicz (2-0) pitched one inning for the win. Seattle (93-69) missed the playoffs a year after winning 116 games, which tied the major league record.

Twins 3, White Sox 1

Minneapolis Bobby Kielty hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth for the second straight day. Bob Wells (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for Minnesota, which completed a three-game sweep going into its first postseason appearance since winning the 1991 World Series. Mike Porzio (2-2) lost for the White Sox, who finished 81-81.

Red Sox 11, Devil Rays 8

Boston Manny Ramirez won the AL batting title with a .349 average, pinch hitting and driving in Boston’s last run of a disappointing 93-win season witha bases-loaded walk. The Red Sox haven’t won the World Series since 1918. Frank Castillo (6-15) pitched 2 2/3 innings, and Ugueth Urbina got his 40th save.

Blue Jays 1, Tigers 0

Toronto Roy Halladay (19-7) gave up two hits in eight innings, and Toronto finished with a season-best, seven-game winning streak.

Broadcaster Ernie Harwell called the final game of his Hall of Fame career. Harwell broadcast major league baseball games for 55 years, 42 of them with Detroit.