BOSTON – Having been eliminated from the AL wild-card race earlier in the week, the Yankees killed the Red Sox’ hopes of repeating as AL East champs last night at a rainy Fenway Park.

Led by Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner, the Yanks dropped a 19-8 beating on the defending World Series champions in front of 37,301.

The game started 1 hour and 31 minutes late and was delayed for 38 minutes in the fifth inning.

Ransom, who took over for Derek Jeter (sore left hand) in the third, homered twice. Gardner went 2-for-6 with four RBIs, and Robinson Cano had five RBIs.

Bobby Abreu’s sacrifice fly in the eighth gave him 100 RBIs for the sixth straight season.

Despite losing to 6-4 to the Tigers, the Rays were crowned AL East winners because of the Red Sox loss.

The Red Sox will open ALDS play against the Angels. The Rays will face the Twins or White Sox.

Yankees 19 Red Sox 8