Cleveland pitcher Fausto Carmona is doused with beer after the Indians clinched the AL Central title Sunday in Cleveland.

Indians 6, Athletics 2

Cleveland – The Cleveland Indians finally tasted something sweeter than all those postgame pies.

Expensive champagne – cases and cases of bubbly – soaked the home clubhouse at Jacobs Field for the first time since 2001 as the Indians, overlooked as a contender in baseball’s toughest division, clinched the AL Central with a victory over Oakland.

The Indians, whose home opener was postponed by a freakish snowstorm and whose path to a title was unlike any in team history, again will play meaningful games in October.

After finishing fourth and 18 games out of first place a year ago, Cleveland is back among the AL’s elite.

“Somewhere among the snow and the craziness of the schedule and the injuries, this team became a family,” pitcher Paul Byrd said amid the delirium and flying liquid. “Everybody chipped in. I’ve never been on a team where everybody has been included in the victories as much as we have.”

“This is what it’s all about,” Wedge added, clutching a bottle of champagne. “This is what we’ve waited for.”

Angels 7, Mariners 4

Anaheim, Calif. – John Lackey and the Angels clinched their third AL West title in four years.

After losing two in a row to the Mariners, the Angels clinched in their final home game of the season.

Devil Rays 5, Red Sox 4

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Struggling knuckleballer Tim Wakefield suffered the loss.

Yankees 7, Blue Jays 5

New York – Mike Mussina won his 250th game, backup catcher Jose Molina had three hits and three RBIs, and Joba Chamberlain got his first career save. The Yankees remained 51â2 games ahead of Detroit in the wild-card race and lowered their magic number to two for clinching a 13th straight postseason appearance.

Twins 7, White Sox 1

Minneapolis – Kevin Slowey pitched seven strong innings, helping Torii Hunter go out a winner in what might have been his last home game for Minnesota.

Garrett Jones hit his first career homer, Michael Cuddyer drove in four runs, and Slowey (4-0) struck out a career-high nine batters.

Rangers 3, Orioles 0

Arlington, Texas – Kevin Millwood pitched seven scoreless innings, and Michael Young moved closer to another 200-hit season for Texas.