Derek Jeter jogged off the field to a raucous cheer, and one out later Mariano Rivera closed the game to kick off one last Yankee Stadium postgame party.

The Yankees' 7-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday night in their 85-year-old ballpark's final game kept them alive and prevented the Red Sox from clinching a playoff berth. Boston had secured at least a tie for the American League wildcard with a 3-0 victory in Toronto.

Jeter and the Yankees weren't about to be knocked out of the playoff race on Sunday. A night that began with former Yankee greats returning to their positions on the field ended shortly after Jeter was pulled with two outs in the ninth inning - before coming back out for a curtain call. "It was a perfect evening," Jeter said.

Elsewhere in the AL, it was: Indians 10, Tigers 5 Twins 4, Rays 1 White Sox 3, Royals 0 Angels 7, Rangers 3 and Athletics 5, Mariners 3.

In the National League, it was: Brewers 8, Reds 1 Braves 7, Mets 6 Astros 6, Pirates 2 Padres 6, Nationals 2 Cubs 5, Cardinals 1 Diamondbacks 13, Rockies 4 Phillies 5, Marlins 2 and Giants 1, Dodgers 0 (in 11).

Johnny Damon and Jose Molina homered in the Bronx to back Andy Pettitte (14-14), a fitting winner after he helped pitch New York to four World Series titles and six AL pennants from 1996-2003.

Joba Chamberlain worked 1 2/3 hitless innings and Rivera closed out the final regular-season home game before New York moves next year into a US$1.3 billion palace rising across the street.

Then the Yankees took a lap around the field, waving their caps to the fans as Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" blared over the sound system one last time.

Yogi Berra, one of the game's most beloved players stood beneath the stands in a full vintage uniform. Now 83, the man who coined the phrase "it ain't over till it's over" put his own stamp on the day. "I'm sorry to see it over, I'll tell you that."

All the greats were remembered during a 65-minute pregame ceremony that included 21 retired players, six of them Hall of Famers.

"I feel like I'm losing an old friend," Reggie Jackson said.

The 1922 AL pennant, the first to fly in the ballpark, was unfurled beyond center field. Young men and boys were introduced representing the opening-day lineup in 1923.

Then came the living Yankees who make the stadium a standard for excellence.

Willie Randolph slid into second base when he was announced. Fan favorite Paul O'Neill pointed to right field. Bernie Williams, back for the first time since the Yankees cut him two years ago, received the longest ovation.

Accompanying them were the sons of some of the deceased stars: Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Billy Martin and Thurman Munson to name a few, joined by the wives of Catfish Hunter, Bobby Murcer and Phil Rizzuto.

Julia Ruth Stevens, 92-year-old daughter of Babe Ruth, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a crowd of 54,610 - bringing the stadium lifetime total to 151,959,005.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily September 23, 2008)