Mets Clinch First East Title Since 1988

The New York Mets ended nearly two decades of disappointment in their division and days of delay, clinching the East Division for the first time since 1988 with a 4-0 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday night.

Jose Valentin, one of their unexpected stars, homered twice and Steve Trachsel, their longest-tenured player, combined with three relievers on a four-hitter.

Fireworks shot off from behind the center-field wall when Cliff Floyd caught Josh Willingham’s fly ball to left for the final out. The Mets rushed to the center of the diamond to celebrate, hugging near shortstop.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we’ll celebrate tonight,” Mets General Manager Omar Minaya said. “Right now we’re going to celebrate, enjoy and exhale.”

New York’s “other team,” often obscured by the cross-town Yankees, had hoped to clinch last week during a trip to Florida and Pittsburgh. But the 280 or so bottles of sparkling wine that had been flown from city to city were neatly arrayed outside the clubhouse before the game, as if to tantalize passing players.

“This is why I came here. I thought we had a chance to do this,” said pitcher Tom Glavine, who helped the Atlanta Braves win many of their 14 straight division titles.

Said third baseman David Wright: “It’s something special. You can’t put this in words. This is what playoff baseball in October is all about.”

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ROUNDUP

Chicago 11, at Philadelphia 6: Aramis Ramirez homered twice and drove in a career-best seven runs and five Cubs relievers held the Phillies scoreless over the last five innings.

at Houston 5, Cincinnati 3: Roy Oswalt improved to 17-1 in his career against the Reds but left in the seventh inning because of muscle spasms in his neck.

at Colorado 20, San Francisco 6: At Denver, Jeff Baker hit two three-run homers, Garrett Atkins also drove in six runs and the Rockies tied the club record for runs.

Atlanta 6, at Washington 1: Andruw Jones hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning and Kyle Davies won for the first time since April 30 to lead the Braves over the Nationals.

at Milwaukee 4, St. Louis 3: Tony Graffanino singled in the winning run in the ninth inning to lift the Brewers.