New York Yankees win, secure American League East crown as Aaron Judge stays at 60 homers

TORONTO — What seemed predestined when the New York Yankees were the best team in baseball in the first half of the season and looked doubtful with their subpar play in the second half, was made official Tuesday night. A 5-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays gave the Yankees their 20th American League East Division title.

It's the first divisional pennant for New York since 2019, which was also the year that Aaron Boone won his first title as a manager.

Gleyber Torres had three hits and three RBIs and Aaron Judge walked four times in pursuit of his 61st home run in the victory. The Yankees won for the eighth time in their past nine games, as Jameson Taillon pitched into the eighth inning en route to his 14th win of the season.

«This hasn't been easy at all. The division is as good as ever,» Boone said in his postgame, on-field interview. «We've taken a lot of punches this year, we've survived, and we're going to enjoy this one tonight.»

Batting out of the leadoff spot, Judge, who extended his homerless streak to seven games, finished 0 for 1 with two runs to go along with the four free passes.

But Anthony Rizzo had two hits and an RBI, and Kyle Higashioka had three hits and two runs, supplying enough offense to clinch the division four days before the calendar turns to October.

«A lot of different people are contributing now,» Boone said. «And it's going to take everyone.»

The Yankees, who at times appeared as if they'd run away from the American League pack before stumbling through August, appear headed toward the No. 2 postseason seed behind the Houston Astros. Tuesday's victory was their 39th away from home, and their 95th overall.

«We had some down times, especially in the month of August,» Boone said. «But they