The New York Yankees are the 2011 American League East champions. The Yankees clinched Wednesday by sweeping a double-header from the Tampa Bay Rays, both games by scores of 4-2, and having the Boston Red Sox lose to the Baltimore Orioles.
Perhaps it was appropriate that it was veteran Jorge Posada who delivered the clinching hit, a two-run pinch-hit single in the eighth-inning that snapped a 2-2 tie. Posada came on to bat for Jesus Montero with the bases loaded and punched a single to right. Might this have been Posada's last moment of glory as a Yankee? His spot on the postseason roster is anything but secure, and it seems unlikely the Yankees would bring Posada back next season.
Those, however, are matter for another day.
CC Sabathia pitched 7.1 innings in search of his 20th victory, but left with the score tied 2-2. David Robertson got two outs in the eighth inning and earned the victory. He is 4-0. Rafael Soriano closed out the game in the ninth inning for his second save. Soriano closed because Mariano Rivera worked in the first game Wednesday, getting the save in that game.
The Yankees will still have a hand in which team wins the AL wild-card. Boston leads Tampa Bay and Anaheim by 2.5 games for the final AL playoff spot. The Yankees have four games left with Tampa Bay and three with Boston, so they will have a direct hand in the outcome of the wild-card race.