BOSTON (AP) -The New York Yankees have little left to play for this season, so the chance to deprive the Boston Red Sox of a division title is worth waiting around for.
Playing a lineup loaded with backups in an unusually meaningless matchup with their longtime rivals, the Yankees waited out 2 hours, 9 minutes of rain delays on Friday night to beat Boston 19-8 and clinch for the Tampa Bay Rays their first AL East title.
Cody Ransom pinch hit for Derek Jeter and went 3-for-3 with two homers, Robinson Cano tied a career-high with five RBIs and Brett Gardner had a career-high four RBIs for the Yankees.
With the loss on Friday night, Boston will face the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the playoffs.
The Yankees scored in each of the first five innings to open a 13-4 lead and chase Daisuke Matsuzaka substitute David Pauley, who was making his second start of the season. Pauley (0-1) allowed six runs and seven hits while getting eight outs.
David Robertson (4-0) struck out three in two innings of scoreless relief for the victory.
Tigers 6, Rays 4
DETROIT (AP) - Gary Sheffield hit two home runs and Ramon Santiago also went deep to lift Detroit to a win over Tampa Bay, which clinched the AL East when Boston lost.
Sheffield has 499 career home runs and Santiago homered for the third time in two days. Magglio Ordonez drove in two runs for Detroit, which beat Tampa Bay 7-5 on Thursday.
B.J. Upton homered and drove in two runs for the Rays.
Justin Verlander (11-17) won his first game since Aug. 22. He allowed two runs and five hits in five innings, walking three and striking out eight.
Andy Sonnanstine (13-9) gave up five runs on five hits in 5 2-3 innings for the Rays, walking five and striking out seven.
Royals 8, Twins 1
