KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers had a 220-bottle champagne celebration yesterday and they hope to have even a bigger one later this week.

The Tigers fought off their late-season slump and clinched their first playoff berth since 1987, scoring nine runs in the second inning and coasting to an 11-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.

"I've been waiting for this," said Brandon Inge, who was given a champagne shampoo by teammates. "You don't think about this in spring training, and then something like this happens."

Enjoying a turnaround season under new manager Jim Leyland, Detroit assured itself of no-worse than the AL wild-card berth and headed into the final week of the season with a 1 1/2-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central. The Tigers, who regained the best record in the major leagues at 94-62, went ahead early for the second straight day, following up on Saturday's 10-run first.

"We want to send a message that we're not happy just going to the playoffs," Tigers closer Todd Jones said. "We are trying to win our division."

Craig Monroe hit a three-run homer that gave Justin Verlander (17-9) an 8-0 lead and chased starter Runelvys Hernandez (6-10). Inge then homered on Todd Wellemeyer's first pitch.

Detroit's last trip to the postseason was 19 years ago, when the Tigers won the AL East and lost to Minnesota 4-1 in the AL championship series.

Twins 6, Orioles 3: Joe Mauer and Phil Nevin hit two-run homers, and visiting Minnesota moved closer to sealing a playoff berth. Any combination of Minnesota wins or losses by the Chicago White Sox totaling two will ensure the Twins a trip to the postseason.

White Sox 12, Mariners 7: Paul Konerko hit two home runs and Juan Uribe hit a grand slam to power host Chicago over Seattle. The defending World Series champion White Sox are seven games behind Detroit in the AL Central and 5 1/2 behind wild-card leader Minnesota.

Angles 7, Athletics 1: Ervin Santana (15-8) allowed a run on two hits over eight innings, Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer and visiting Los Angeles kept Oakland from winning the AL West. Oakland's magic number remained at two to wrap up the club's first division title since 2003.

Devil Rays 11, Yankees 4: Mike Mussina (14-7) allowed six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings before leaving after getting hit on the glove hand by Carl Crawford's liner in the fifth inning in visiting New York's loss to Tampa Bay.

Blue Jays 13, Red Sox 4: The host Blue Jays overcame David Ortiz's league-leading 53rd homer and took advantage of awful outfield defense by Boston's Wily Mo Pena, who misplayed three balls in right, and Kevin Youkilis, who misplayed two in left.

Indians 11, Rangers 6: Grady Sizemore hit two home runs, including an inside-the-park homer for his major league-leading 90th extra-base hit, as Cleveland spoiled Texas' home finale.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros 7, Cardinals 3: Roger Clemens gave up a run on four hits in five innings in his final home start of the season and Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer, helping Houston complete a four-game sweep and close to 3 1/2 games of first-place St. Louis in the NL Central.

PHILLIES 10, MARLINS 7: Chase Utley homered twice and drove in four runs, and Jimmy Rollins and Chris Coste also homered as host Philadelphia rallied to beat Florida for its fifth straight win. The Phillies remained a half-game ahead of Los Angeles in the wild-card race.

Padres 2, Pirates 1: Trevor Hoffman became baseball's career saves leader, earning No. 479 — 43rd of the season — to pass Lee Smith and help NL West-leading San Diego beat visiting Pittsburgh to remain 1 1/2 games ahead of second-place Los Angeles.

Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 1: Nomar Garciaparra hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning off reliever Luis Vizcaino (4-6) to lift Los Angeles over Arizona. It was Garciaparra's 19th homer of the season and second walkoff homer in seven days.

Rockies 9, Braves 8: Matt Holliday hit a grand slam, pinch-hitter Brad Hawpe hit a two-run homer and host Colorado rallied from a 7-0 deficit to end Atlanta's streak of 14 straight postseason appearances.

Brewers 5, Giants 3: Ben Sheets (6-7) gave up two runs and five hits in eight innings, and Mike Rivera hit a three-run double in the bottom of the sixth as Milwaukee completed a four-game sweep and eliminated San Francisco from the NL West race.

Nationals 5, Mets 1: Tony Armas Jr. (9-12) won for the first time in seven starts and Ryan Zimmerman hit an RBI double as visiting Washington sent NL East champion New York to its seventh defeat in 10 games.

Reds 3, Cubs 2: Royce Clayton's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in Chris Denorfia to cap a two-run rally and lift Cincinnati over Chicago.