Yankees win yet another A.L. East title

NEW YORK – 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 for their 100th victory of the season.

With the crowd standing and hollering, Williams connected with one out to set off an enthusiastic celebration.

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. The Yankees enjoyed the moment, gathering for a group hug near the plate.

“It was fitting. Bernie’s been here the longest,” Jeter said in the champagne-filled Yankees clubhouse. “He’s been through a lot this year.”

Williams’ homer was the Yankees’ major-league leading 241st of the season, and they broke the franchise record set in 1961. Hideki Matsui and John Olerud also homered for New York.

“The things that happened early in the year when we were roughed up by the Red Sox I think galvanized this ballclub,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

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

“I am very proud of the team. They’re real warriors,” Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. “I am very happy with the outcome. Now, let’s get ready for the playoffs.”

The Yankees swept the three-game series from the A.L. Central champs, yet their first-round playoff pairing is still not set — they could wind up facing the Twins, Anaheim or Oakland starting Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, where they had the best home record in the majors.

“They’re all good teams,” Torre said. “I’m not sure I could pick out one I’d want to start with.”

Torre had said he hoped to clinch the crown in New York’s final home game, rather than wait to party in Toronto during the weekend. He got his wish in front of a crowd of 48,454 that boosted the Yankees’ season attendance to a team-record 3,775,292.

The Yankees won this one as they did so many others, featuring the recurring themes of home runs, strong bullpen work and comebacks. The victory relegated Boston to its seventh straight second-place finish, although the Red Sox again captured the wild-card spot.

Tom Gordon (9-4) pitched one inning for the win.