Williams Clinches It for Yankees

Bernie Williams hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees clinched their seventh straight American League East title, beating the Minnesota Twins, 6-4, Thursday night at New York for their 100th victory of the season.

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.

Williams’ homer was the Yankees’ major-league leading 241st of the season, and they broke the franchise record set in 1961.

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

Detroit 8-4, Tampa Bay 0-6 -- Toby Hall hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lead the Devil Rays to a split of a doubleheader against the Tigers at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Jeremy Bonderman (11-13) threw a four-hitter and Ivan Rodriguez hit his 250th career homer to lead the Tigers in the opener.

Baltimore 9, Toronto 3 -- Miguel Tejada homered and drove in three runs to boost his major league-leading total in RBIs to 146 and lead the Orioles at Baltimore.

Chicago 9, Kansas City 2 -- Mark Buehrle pitched a four-hitter for his fourth complete game of the season to lead the White Sox at Kansas City, Mo.