Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox won their third consecutive AL East championship, clinching the title on enemy turf with an 11-6 victory over the rival New York Yankees.
Betts homered, doubled twice and drove in five runs, finishing with four hits as the Red Sox overcame Giancarlo Stanton's go-ahead grand slam in the fourth inning.
Jackie Bradley Jr hit a tying home run in the seventh and Xander Bogaerts put Boston ahead with a sacrifice fly.
With the best record in baseball and a playoff berth already secured, Boston (104-49) closed out a once-tight division race with nine games to spare.
JD Martinez and the Red Sox, alone in first place since July 2, will open the postseason at home on Octover 5 against an opponent to be determined.
Never before had Boston finished in first place three years in a row.
The club needs one victory to match the franchise record held by the 1912 World Series champions.
It took three tries, but these Red Sox finally earned their chance to celebrate at Yankee Stadium under rookie manager Alex Cora.
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