The Associated Press

DETROIT - Mike Maroth and the Detroit Tigers left the field for the final time feeling like winners.

The Tigers avoided the 1962 New York Mets' modern-day record for losses, finishing their best six-game stretch of the season with a 9-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

"Believe it or not, I can look back on this year with a smile on my face because of how this season ended," said Maroth, the first pitcher since 1980 to lose at least 20 games.

Detroit (43-119) used a seven-run sixth inning to win for the fifth time in six games.

"We're not going to worry about what people say about our record," Dmitri Young said. "We got it together down the stretch and played some top-notch baseball. I'm leaving here happy."

With the 18,959 fans at Comerica Park standing and cheering, and Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" playing after the final out, the Tigers players hugged each other on the field as the scoreboard flashed "Victory!"

Yankees 3, Orioles 1

NEW YORK - David Wells earned his 200th win and was pulled by manager-for-a-day Roger Clemens in the win.

Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer for his 38th of the year, and Drew Henson got his first major league hit for the Yankees.

One day after earning his 310th win, Clemens made out the lineup and managed the team in place of Joe Torre with the help of bench coach Andy Pettitte.

White Sox 5, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Esteban Loaiza took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and won the AL strikeout title in the win. He finished with 207 strikeouts.

Devil Rays 3, Red Sox 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Bill Mueller won his first batting title Sunday as Boston lost to Tampa Bay, finishing with the lowest average for an AL champion - .326 - in 31 years.

Blue Jays 6, Indians 2

TORONTO - Carlos Delgado hit a grand slam and finished the season with a major league-leading 145 RBI as Toronto beat Cleveland.

Angels 4, Rangers 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Scott Spiezio hit a tiebreaking two-run single and Barry Wesson hit his first major league homer as Anaheim won and finished 77-85 - 22 games worse than last season.

Mariners 9, Athletics 3

SEATTLE - Jamie Moyer set a club record with his 21st victory as the Seattle Mariners completed a series sweep.