ERST LESEN! » eir last trip to South Africa in 2009,

NEW YORK -- Even though they let a win get away Wednesday night, the Boston Red Sox locked up something more important. And as far as they were concerned, an AL East title was certainly worth celebrating.Boston clinched the division championship despite wasting a three-run lead in the ninth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Yankees. David Ortiz and the Red Sox, who last weekend secured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs, were assured the crown when Baltimore rallied for a 3-2 win at second-place Toronto nearly 30 minutes before New York completed its comeback against Craig Kimbrel (2-5) and Joe Kelly.In the end, the one inning, it doesnt take away from 158 games played to date. They should be extremely proud for winning a very, very difficult division, manager John Farrell said.Though the final score in Toronto was posted on the out-of-town scoreboard for all to see, the Red Sox hardly seemed to notice as players draped their arms over the dugout railing and rooted for Kimbrel in the ninth.Farrell and other Red Sox said they knew the Blue Jays had lost and what that meant, but they were focused on closing out their own game at the time.Red Sox executives, however, jumped out of their front-row seats next to the Boston dugout and rejoiced when the Blue Jays game ended.This is one stop. Weve got a lot of work ahead, Farrell said. Were not done by any means.After winning their eighth AL East title, the Red Sox will open their postseason schedule Oct. 6 seeking a second World Series championship in four years. The teams first opponent has not been determined yet.Its only the beginning. We have to keep pushing, first baseman Hanley Ramirez said.Mark Teixeiras two-out grand slam off Kelly won it for the Yankees, costing Clay Buchholz a win after he allowed just an infield single in six shutout innings.That only stunned the Red Sox for a short time, though. Once they returned to their clubhouse, they regrouped and let loose, dousing each other with beer and bubbly in a typical celebration.So even if they didnt pile onto the field in enemy territory, the Red Sox got their chance to party in the Bronx -- the site of so much Boston heartache throughout its storied rivalry with the Yankees.Of course, there was one glorious moment across the street, when Big Papi and his 2004 teammates overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the AL Championship Series at the old Yankee Stadium. Boston rejoiced and went on to capture its first World Series crown since 1918.With Ortiz nearing retirement after the current season, this division title tasted sweet as well -- especially after the Red Sox completed a worst-to-first turnaround for the second time in five seasons. After winning the 2013 World Series, Boston finished last twice in a row.I think we can definitely use this as a stepping stone. But this is step 1, outfielder Mookie Betts said. Weve got to win a World Series and once we get there, everybody will know who the Red Sox are.No matter what happens from here, this year has become much more than a farewell tour for Ortiz. The 40-year-old franchise icon is enjoying one of his biggest seasons at the plate, joined by steady veterans like Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia mixed with blossoming young stars in Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.This is a pretty dynamic team in terms of homegrown players at various stages of their career that are coming together to be a very successful team, Farrell said before the game.Rick Porcello (22 wins) and free-agent prize David Price have solidified the front end of a suspect rotation, with new closer Kimbrel anchoring the bullpen.Boston took control of a wide-open AL East with an 11-game winning streak -- all against division foes -- that ended with Tuesdays defeat at Yankee Stadium.Above and beyond all, this is a team that cares for one another. And I dont say that loosely, Farrell said. Theyre tough, theyre focused, theyre talented, but, like I said, above all, they care for one another in an extraordinary way.Farrell, who took over as manager before the 2013 season, enjoyed a personal triumph with this division title as well: He missed the final 1 1/2 months of last season after he was diagnosed with stage 1 lymphoma.Its been a journey that makes you relish the good times a little bit more. Theyre more meaningful, Farrell said. Theres so much to be fortunate or thankful for. ... Clearly, this puts you in a position to reflect on things differently.The only other time Boston clinched the AL East title away from Fenway Park was at Cleveland in 1988.Now, the Red Sox hope to reach the World Series again -- and set up a potential dream matchup against the Chicago Cubs and former Boston general manager Theo Epstein.You enjoy the night tonight and the accomplishments up to this point, but we still have a lot on our minds and a lot that we want to accomplish, Porcello said.Jamal Adams Womens Jersey . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Joe Namath Jets Jersey . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Wayne-Chrebet-Jersey/ .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Robby Anderson Youth Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Robby Anderson Jets Jersey . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No.The next stop for South Africa and Englands thrilling ODI series is Johannesburg, scene of a sensational century by AB de Villiers a year ago.Fridays fourth ODI could either see England secure the series, or South Africa tie things up at 2-2 with one to play.If the latter is to happen, the hosts will hope for another of ABs best. Something like one of these… QUICKEST(149 off 44 balls v West Indies, January 2015, Johannesburg)In the last ODI played at the Wanderers, De Villiers produced an innings of unbelievably epic proportions, hitting a record-fastest century, off 31 balls, and striking a staggering 16 sixes in total across his innings. He absolutely man-handled a sorry West Indies attack - and wasnt the only one, with Hashim Amla (153) and Rilee Rossouw (128) also notching huge hundreds meaning De Villiers didnt arrive at the crease till the 39th over! A look back at AB de Villiers fastest century in a ODI, which was just off just 31 balls South Africa scored 439-2 in their 50 overs, the first of four times in 2015 they would pass the 400-mark, with De Villiers hitting hundreds in three of those efforts. The only thing more striking than this innings that day was the pink kit he and his team-mates were wearing, in support of World Cancer Day. They will be donning the same colours for the same cause come Friday against England, who will hope it doesnt have the same effect on AB.HIGHEST(162no off 66 balls v West Indies, 2015 World Cup, Sydney)Once again the West Indies were the victims, succumbing to De Villiers again a mere 40 days later in their World Cup clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Due to his earlier efforts at the Wanderers, this 66-ball 162 didnt better his own record for the quickest ODI hundred, but it is his highest score, the fastest 150, and arguably his greatest ever innings, coming as it did on crickets biggest stage. AB de Villiers made history once again after hitting 162 off just 66 balls against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup All the more staggering about De Villiers efforts is that South Africa had scored 258-3 when he went through to a fairly sedate - by his standards - 30-ball fifty in the 40th over, and he proceeded to smash 112 off his next 366 balls, including 62 from his final 14 as the Proteas pummelled 150 runs total from the final 10 overs to push past 400 again.dddddddddddd. ABs explosive, 360-degree hitting at the World Cup, along with the likes of Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle, has led to a one-day revolution, one which this new England side have bought into brilliantly following a dismal tournament.FIRST(146 off 130 balls v West Indies, 2007 World Cup, Grenada)It may surprise you that it took De Villiers 38 ODIs to score his maiden century. In fact, De Villiers didnt even notch a fifty till his 17th game, and tallied six single-figure scores in his first 14 innings! What wont surprise you though is that when his first hundred did finally arrive, it was the West Indies who again were made to suffer, and at another World Cup too - the embarrassment made worse by it being one they were hosting. De Villiers celebrates his maiden ODI hundred for South Africa at the 2007 World Cup De Villiers - opening the batting at the 2007 tournament - struck 146 off 130 balls, with 12 fours and five sixes as South Africa amassed 356-4, in securing a vital 67-run win in the Super Eights. Vital for the side, having suffered an embarrassing 67-run reverse to Bangladesh in their previous game, and vital too for De Villiers having scored only 15 in that defeat, and with three ducks from six World Cup innings to his name up until that point.LATEST(119 off 61 balls v India, October 2015, Mumbai)De Villiers most recent century sealed a series win in India, and in emphatic style too, as he smashed 11 sixes in scoring 119 off 61 balls as South Africa (438-4) again passed 400, thrashing India by 214 runs in Mumbai. Again AB had company at the crease, as Quinton de Kock (109) and Faf du Plessis (133) too contributed with impressive hundreds. De Villiers and fellow centurion Quinton de Kock embrace as South Africa clinch series win over India But De Villiers stood out above the rest, not only for the sheer destructive nature of his knock, but for the fact that it was his third century in the five-match series. The 73-ball 104 he hit in a thrilling five-run win in the first ODI in Kanpur proved to be particularly crucial considering the slender 3-2 scoreline.AGAINST ENGLAND(121 off 85 balls v England, November 2009, Cape Town)England have only truly suffered at the hands of De Villiers once in 24 meetings, but it came on their last trip to South Africa in 2009, at Cape Town, scene of the fifth ODI of their current series. England will be keen to keep him quieter this time round, especially if a South African win in Johannesburg on Friday, sees it being a series decider. De Villiers on his way to a hundred against England at Cape Town It was the only blip in a 2-1 series win for England, but quite the blip, a 112-run blip in fact as De Villiers struck 14 fours on his way to 121 off 85 balls, taking a particular liking to James Anderson, who returned expensive figures of 0-55 from his seven overs, before Stuart Broad (4-71) eventually picked him in. Set 355 to win, Paul Collingwood was the only batsman to make a dent in the total, with 86 from 82 balls, while Wayne Parnell (5-48) ran through the side. Will South Africa square up the series in Johannesburg on Friday? Find out from 11am on Sky Sports 2. You can also follow all the action with our live blog.Also See:De Kock cuts into England leadStuart Broad to returnEngland fixtures/resultsLive cricket on Sky ' ' '