Jim Thome, eligible for free agency, singled home the go-ahead run in his last at-bat this season - With no playoff spots at stake, the American League was left with lesser drama on the final day of the season.

The New York Yankees clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a 6-1 win at Baltimore, Boston's Manny Ramirez won the AL batting title and Oakland's Barry Zito got his 23rd win.

Rondell White and Jason Giambi propelled the Yankees, who finished a major league-best 103-58 and headed home for their first-round series against Anaheim.

"It's important for us to have that advantage and eliminate one of those cross-country trips down the road, if it comes to that," said Mike Mussina (18-10), who allowed one run - unearned - and six hits in five innings.

In other games it was Oakland 8, Texas 7; Anaheim 7, Seattle 6; Boston 11, Tampa Bay 8; Minnesota 3, Chicago 1; Cleveland 7, Kansas City 3; and Toronto 1, Detroit 0.

At Camden Yards, New York's Alfonso Soriano went 0-for-5 and finished with 39 homers. He had 41 steals, falling short of his bid to join the 40-40 club.

The Yankees, who open the playoffs at home Tuesday against Anaheim, finished with five straight wins. John Stephens (2-5) took the loss for the Orioles (67-95), 4-32 after reaching the .500 mark on Aug. 23.

Athletics 8, Rangers 7

Zito (23-5) allowed one run and three singles in six innings at Texas. He led the league in victories and had the most wins by an AL left-hander since Frank Viola's 24 for Minnesota in 1988.

"My biggest concern was to get on track for the playoffs and get my mental game where it needed to be," Zito said.

Jermaine Dye hit his fourth career grand slam for Oakland (103-59), which starts the playoffs Tuesday at home against Minnesota.

Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in a three-run ninth off Billy Koch. He finished with a .300 average while leading the major leagues with 57 homers and 142 RBIs.

Ivan Rodriguez, eligible for free agency, went 2-for-4 in what might be his last game for Texas. Joaquin Benoit (4-5) allowed a season-high eight runs, six hits and six walks in 3 1-3 innings.

Angels 7, Mariners 6

Troy Glaus hit a grand slam in the first off Ismael Valdes (8-12), and Aaron Sele gave up two runs and three hits in 4 1-3 innings in his first game since coming off the disabled list.

Anaheim, which finished with its best record ever at 99-63, is in the postseason for the first time since 1986. Mark Lukasiewicz (2-0) pitched one inning for the win.

Visiting Seattle (93-69) missed the playoffs a year after winning 116 games, which tied the major league record.

Red Sox 11, Devil Rays 8

Ramirez finished with a .349 average, pinch hitting and driving in Boston's last run of a disappointing 93-win season with a bases-loaded walk. The Red Sox haven't won the World Series since 1918.

Frank Castillo (6-15) pitched 2 2-3 innings at Fenway Park, and Ugueth Urbina got his 40th save.

Wilson Alvarez (2-3) took the defeat for Tampa Bay, which set a team record for losses this year.

Twins 3, White Sox 1

Bobby Kielty hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth for the second straight day at the Metrodome.

Bob Wells (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for Minnesota, which completed a three-game sweep going into its first postseason appearance since winning the 1991 World Series.

Mike Porzio (2-2) lost for the White Sox, who finished 81-81.

Indians 7, Royals 3

and maybe his final one for Cleveland. He hit .304 with 52 homers and 118 RBIs, and he led the AL in walks (122) and slugging percentage (.677).

Travis Fryman hit a two-run double in the seventh at Jacobs Field, the final career at-bat for the five-time All-Star, who is retiring.

The Royals (62-100) joined Milwaukee (56-106), Detroit (55-106) and Tampa Bay (55-106) to give the major leagues four 100-game losers for the first time.

Jaret Wright (2-3) pitched one inning as Cleveland (74-88) finished with a four-game winning streak. Scott Mullen (4-5) lost.

Blue Jays 1, Tigers 0

Roy Halladay (19-7) gave up two hits over eight innings at SkyDome, and Toronto finished with a season-best, seven-game winning streak.

Broadcaster Ernie Harwell called the final game of his Hall of Fame career. Harwell broadcast major league baseball games for 55 years, 42 of them with Detroit.

Kelvim Escobar pitched the ninth inning for his 37th save.

Eric Hinske hit an RBI single in the seventh off Mike Maroth (6-10).