Yankees Uncork Yet Another Title

The bottles of champagne were almost empty, and the giddy New York Yankees were dousing each other in champagne and shaving cream.

Then, in the midst of the celebration, Derek Jeter’s voice rose above the din: “Enjoy it for a couple of days. But we’ve got three more steps to go, fellas.”

Yes, the Yankees were thrilled to clinch their sixth consecutive American League East title with a 7-0 victory over the White Sox at Chicago on Tuesday night.

But three years removed from their last World Series championship, they have their eyes on the ultimate prize.

Jose Contreras (7-2) got the Yankees going with a gem, striking out a career-high nine on three days’ rest. Jason Giambi then kicked the festivities into high gear, hitting a grand slam in the ninth.

Even though the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox could finish with the same record, the second-place team would be assured of the wild card and New York would win the division because it beat Boston in the season series, 10-9.

The loss was doubly disappointing for the White Sox, who were eliminated from postseason play.

The White Sox had a two-game lead in the AL Central two weeks ago. Since then, they have lost nine of 13.

Boston 6, Baltimore 5 -- Todd Walker tied the score with a three-run homer against Jorge Julio with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning and David Ortiz won it with a homer against Kurt Ainsworth (0-1) in the 10th.

Byung-Hyun Kim (8-5) earned the victory with a scoreless 10th to help Boston open a 3 1/2-game lead over Seattle in the wild-card race.

Detroit 15, Kansas City 6 -- The Tigers (39-118) ended a 10-game skid but still must win four of their last five games to avoid tying the post-1900 loss record of 120 held by the 1962 New York Mets.

Warren Morris, Craig Monroe and A.J. Hinch homered for the Tigers at Kansas City, Mo.

Tiger Manager Alan Trammell missed the game to attend his mother’s funeral.

Toronto 8, Tampa Bay 5 -- Carlos Delgado hit his 299th career homer, ending a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning at Toronto.

Josh Towers became the second consecutive Toronto pitcher to be ejected, getting tossed for throwing behind Aubrey Huff in the fifth. Roy Halladay was ejected for hitting Rocco Baldelli with a pitch Monday.