BOSTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Robinson Cano and Brett Gardner combined to drive in nine runs Friday and the New York Yankees ended Boston's division title hopes with a 19-8 triumph.
The game was twice delayed by rain for a total of two hours, causing the Tampa Bay Rays to wait late into the night before they officially became champions of the American League East.
Boston trails Tampa Bay by two games with two to play and the Rays own the tiebreak advantage. The Red Sox will have to settle for a wild-card berth and a division-round playoff meeting with the Los Angeles Angels.
New York clubbed 20 hits and scored at least three runs in four different innings.
The Yankees had a 7-3 lead going into the fourth and broke things open in that inning with five runs. Cano contributed a two-run double in the frame and Cody Ransom had a solo homer.
The win went to reliever David Robertson (4-0), who worked two innings. Starter Alfredo Aceves left after four.
David Pauley (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits in 2 2/3.
