Lyou Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight title in the American League East, Saturday, thanks to a 7-3 win over the Miami Marlins.
Mike Zunino hit a home run that meant the advantage, while Brandon Lowe added a pair of doubles.
The reliever Pete Fairbanks retired Lewis Brinson with a foul balloon when the bases were full, for the last out. The Rays thus had the opportunity to celebrate the pennant in their field.
In the afternoon, Tampa Bay’s “magic number” for the divisional title had been reduced to one game, when the New York Yankees beat Boston.
23,783 spectators gathered at Tropicana Field, the most the Rays have seen this year. And most rose to cheer for the Yankees’ victory, which was announced after the top of the sixth inning.
Tampa Bay improved to a 96-59 record and won its fourth division title since coming to the majors. for the 1998 season. The club debuted under the Devil Rays moniker and wore jerseys with their old emblem during this significant victory.
The Rays, what lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games last season, they have never been major league monarchs.
Shane McClanahan (10-6) allowed one run and six hits in five innings, to win.