Red Sox claim 3rd straight AL East title

The Boston Red Sox continue to reign supreme in the American League East, as they clinched a third consecutive division title - and 10th overall - on Thursday by defeating the New York Yankees 11-6.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

This marks the first time in franchise history that the Red Sox have won their division three years running. They also improved their MLB-best record to 104-49, putting them one win away from tying the franchise record for wins that's stood since 1912.

"Obviously, it's a great accomplishment," first-year manager Alex Cora said, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "But where we play, winning a division is not enough. They want a World Series ring and we've got a shot now."

New York did its best to prevent the rival Red Sox from celebrating in the Bronx, and held a 6-5 lead entering the seventh inning. But Boston tied it up on a Jackie Bradley Jr. homer and then took the lead for good on a sacrifice fly that resulted in two runs thanks to an Aaron Hicks throwing error.

Mookie Betts, the front-runner for AL MVP, then put the Yankees to bed with a three-run homer in the eighth - his 30th of the season. The blast leaves Betts only two stolen bases shy of his first 30-30 campaign.

Thursday's win also dropped Boston's magic number to clinch home-field advantage throughout the postseason to two.