Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets.
Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe also went deep for the Rays, who will be home at quirky Tropicana Field for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning next Tuesday.
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Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets.
The Rays (37-20) broke a 2-all tie in the sixth and took care of business themselves.
Tampa Bay Rays' Willy Adames hits a hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates with teammate Brandon Lowe after hitting a two-run home run while New York Mets catcher Wilson Ramos (40) reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
New York Mets starting pitcher Michael Wacha (45) walks to the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena gestures as he runs toward home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
It is the third division crown in franchise history for the thrifty Rays, who also won the AL East in 2008 and 2010. After missing a chance to clinch Tuesday, they went into Wednesday again needing just a win or a New York Yankees loss against Toronto to lock up the division championship.
Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe (8) celebrates with teammate Willy Adames, right, after Lowe hit a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
The Rays (37-20) broke a 2-all tie in the sixth and took care of business themselves.
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Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe follows through on a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
Tampa Bay Rays' Willy Adames hits a hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates with teammate Brandon Lowe after hitting a two-run home run while New York Mets catcher Wilson Ramos (40) reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
New York Mets starting pitcher Michael Wacha (45) walks to the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena gestures as he runs toward home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)