Yankees clinch division title

TORONTO -- Derek Jeter poured champagne over Joe Torre's head. Almost half the team doused Mariano Rivera with beer. Bernie Williams flashed a grateful smile.

It didn't matter that the New York Yankees lost Wednesday night. They still clinched their ninth consecutive AL East title -- and celebrated like first-timers.

"I've done it before, but it never gets old," Torre said.

New York clinched another division championship when the second-place Boston Red Sox lost 8-2 to the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees began the day needing one win or a Red Sox loss to wrap up the American League East -- and their 12th straight playoff berth. New York was beaten 3-2 in Toronto, but Boston's game went final about 30 minutes later, setting off a wild celebration in the Yankees' clubhouse.

"The celebration is lasting a little longer, that's the biggest thing that's stood out so far," said Jeter, who was drenched by a swarm of teammates. "You can talk about this payroll and that payroll, it's still difficult to win. Winning year after year says a lot about our organization."

The Yankees became the second team to qualify for the playoffs, overcoming major injuries to Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield and Robinson Cano this season. The crosstown Mets wrapped up their first National League East title since 1988 on Monday night.

"It didn't look good at the beginning, but these guys persevered," said Sheffield, who came off the disabled list Tuesday. "I'm just so happy.

"We can't leave nothing on the table this time," he added. "This is the year."

The race between the Red Sox and Yankees was close much of the season until New York swept a five-game series at Fenway Park from Aug. 18 to 21, increasing its lead to 6 1/2 games over Boston.

"The good part is that these guys can rest up a little bit," Torre said.

The Yankees' lineup got a major boost when the team acquired right fielder Bobby Abreu in a trade with Philadelphia on July 30, while Boston was hurt by a rash of injuries and illnesses this summer. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon, Curt Schilling, Jon Lester and Trot Nixon were among the key players who missed extensive time.

"They played a lot better than us over the course of the season," Schilling said in Boston.