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

The Yankees began the day needing one victory or a Red Sox loss to wrap up the division championship – and their 12th straight playoff berth. New York lost, 3-2, in Toronto, but Boston’s game went final about 30 minutes later – setting off a champagne celebration in the New York clubhouse.

Twins 8, Red Sox 2

Boston – David Ortiz hit his 50th homer to match a Red Sox record, but Torii Hunter’s three-run shot in the eighth inning lifted Minnesota. Ortiz tied Jimmie Foxx’s 1938 franchise record with No. 50.

Tigers 6, White Sox 2

Chicago – Curtis Granderson had three hits.

Athletics 4, Indians 3

Oakland, Calif. – Milton Bradley homered and singled in the tying run.

Mariners 6, Rangers 3

Arlington, Texas – Cha Seung Baek allowed two runs and four hits over 62â3 innings.

Blue Jays 3, Yankees 2

Toronto – Bengie Molina homered for Toronto.

Devil Rays 4, Orioles 2

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Tampa Bay snapped a nine-game skid.