OAKLAND, CALIF. ? Ichiro Suzuki went home quietly, still waiting for the big hit he’s been chasing.

Bobby Crosby sent the Athletics into a decisive weekend series against Anaheim with the biggest hit of Oakland’s season.

Suzuki collected his 256th hit to move within one of George Sisler’s record, but Crosby homered in the ninth inning to give the A’s a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

With yet another dramatic hit by their rookie shortstop, the A’s (90-69) moved back into a tie with the Angels atop the AL West. And there won’t be a one-game playoff, either: The division champion will be determined in a season-ending three-game series at the Coliseum.

“That’s the perfect way to end the season — just perfect,” Crosby said.

Crosby first thought about being a hero during the eighth inning, trying to ignore thoughts of a heroic trot around the bases while playing in the field. After fouling off a bunt attempt in the ninth, he pounded a one-out pitch from Scott Atchison (2-3) over the high fence in left for his 22nd homer.

With his grandparents in the screaming crowd, Crosby raised his fist and rounded the bases. His teammates mobbed him at home plate in a scene reminiscent of the A’s triumphant winning streaks of Septembers past.

“It’s the best feeling of my life, by far,” Crosby said. “That’s like a dream to run around and see your teammates waiting for you. I was thinking about (a homer) before, but when I finally got up there, I just tried to put it in play.

“That should get us going in the right direction. Hopefully we can take this into the weekend.”

Oakland's Bobby Crosby, center, is mobbed by teammates after his game-winning home run. Crosby's homer gave the Athletics a 3-2 victory over Seattle on Thursday in Oakland, Calif.

Suzuki extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a run-scoring single in the third, pulling Seattle’s leadoff hitter within one hit of tying Sisler’s 84-year-old record of 257. Suzuki went just 1-for-5.

Yankees 6, Twins 4

New York — Bernie Williams hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, and New York clinched its seventh straight AL East title, beating Minnesota for its 100th victory of the season. With the crowd standing and hollering, Williams connected with one out to set off an enthusiastic celebration.

Williams raised his right arm in triumph as he rounded first base, and Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez were the first players to greet him at home. The Yankees enjoyed the moment, gathering for a group hug near the plate.

Williams’ homer was the Yankees’ major-league leading 241st of the season, and they broke the franchise record set in 1961. Hideki Matsui and John Olerud also homered for New York.

New York became just the fourth team to post three straight 100-win seasons, joining Atlanta (1997-99), Baltimore (1969-71) and the Philadelphia Athletics (1929-31).

The Yankees swept the three-game series from the AL Central champs.

Rangers 6, Angels 3

Arlington, Texas — Adrian Gonzalez drove in three runs with a pair of singles, and Texas beat Anaheim a day after being eliminated from playoff contention.

Gonzalez, a rookie first baseman getting his first start since April, hit a two-run single that chased erratic John Lackey (14-13) in a four-run outburst in the fifth that gave Texas a 5-1 lead.

Vladimir Guerrero went 4-for-4 with two more homers for the Angels (90-69).

Texas (87-72) snapped a four-game losing streak, and a stretch of five losses in six days since sweeping three from the A’s last week to get within two games of the division lead.

The Rangers finished 51-31 at home, matching the team’s second-most number of home wins, and high-fived fans in the stands after the game.

After four straight last-place finishes averaging 90 losses a season, the Rangers weren’t knocked out of playoff contention until their 8-7 loss in 11 innings Wednesday night — in the 158th game of the season.

It was the second two-homer game this week for Guerrero.

Orioles 9, Blue Jays 3

Baltimore — Miguel Tejada homered and drove in three runs to boost his major-league-leading RBI total to 146, and Baltimore cruised past Toronto. Tejada’s RBI total is second-most in major-league history by a shortstop behind Vern Stephens’ 159 for Boston in 1949. Tejada has four homers and 15 RBIs in his last eight games. Larry Bigbie, Jay Gibbons and David Newhan also homered for the Orioles, who have won seven of eight. Baltimore (77-81) took three of four from Toronto to move within four games of .500 for the first time since Aug. 17.

Tigers 8-4, Devil Rays 0-6

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Toby Hall hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lead Tampa Bay to a 6-4 victory and a split of its doubleheader against Detroit. Jeremy Bonderman threw a four-hitter and Ivan Rodriguez hit his 250th career home run to lead the Tigers past the Devil Rays, 8-0, in the opener.