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Yankees beat Blue Jays 5-2, clinch AL East title

TORONTO — As the Toronto Blue Jays filed out of their clubhouse and into the night, the champagne-drenched New York Yankees returned to the Rogers Centre field to mug for a celebratory photo near the pitcher's mound on Tuesday.

About a half-hour earlier, the Yankees claimed their 20th American League East title by defeating the Blue Jays 5-2.

The Yankees (95-59) eighth win in their last nine games provided an 8 1/2 game lead over the Blue Jays (87-68) with eight games remaining for New York and seven for Toronto.

"We knew this was coming, but it's only step one," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said.