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Red Sox clinch AL East title

Red Sox fans can now finally celebrate. The Red Sox have clinched the American League Eastern Division championship for the first time since 1995. Earlier in the night, the Sox defeated the Twins, 5-2, with Daisuke Matsuzaka getting the win and Jonathan Papelbon earning the save. With the win, the Magic Number shrunk to just one game, meaning if the Yankees lost, the Sox would clinch the AL East crown.

Fast forward to later in the night, when the Yankees were leading 9-6 in the bottom of the ninth at Camden Yards. The Yanks turned to one of the greatest closers of all time, Mariano Rivera. Rivera struggled, allowing a 3-run triple to Jay Payton which tied the game.

In the 10th, the Orioles continued to help the Sox out, this time winning the game on an infield single (squeeze play) by Melvin Mora. The Yankees loss translates into the first Sox division title in 12 years.

Kudos to NESN for sticking around with the coverage, especially considering it didn’t look like the Sox would clinch tonight.

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: AL East, Baltimore Orioles, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jay Payton, Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera, Melvin Mora