Game 156 - Yanks Sweep Bosox and Capture AL East Crown

Melky Cabrera and Mark Teixeira both homered, Hideki Matsui singled in the go ahead runs in the 6th and the Yanks swept Boston out of New York to win the AL East Crown and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Andy Pettitte held Boston to 2 runs in 6 innings to pick up his 14th win of the season and Brian Bruney, Phil Coke and the great Mariano held down the fort as the Bombers incredibly tied the Sox 9-9 in the season series despite dropping the first 8 games. Those games seem eons ago as the Yanks turned around their season with the return of ARod.

Tex' shot came in the 8th against Peter Gammons love child, Daniel Bard. It was the 2nd time this season Tex has gone deep against the overhyped Red Sox rookie. Paul Byrd took the loss, despite keeping the Sox in the game. He left with a 2-run lead, but Takashi Saito allowed both of his inherited runners to score.

With the win, expect to see Joe Girardi to start playing his bench players as he rests his starters during the final week of the regular season.

Yankees Record: 100-56