Matsui homers to help Yankees cut magic number to one

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2006

TORONTO (AFP) — The New York Yankees moved to the brink of clinching their ninth consecutive American League East division crown and a Major League Baseball playoff berth with a 6-3 victory over Toronto. Japan's Hideki Matsui smashed a solo home run in the eighth inning for insurance after Bobby Abreu blasted a two-run homer in the seventh as the Yankees improved to 92-59, the best record in the league.

Together with Minnesota's 7-3 victory over Boston, the Yankees trimmed their magic number for clinching the division crown to one game, needing only a triumph or another Red Sox loss to secure the title. The Yankees are expected to receive a boost with the return of outfielder Gary Sheffield after a left wrist injury. But the slugger is working out as an infielder because...