Yanks' win brings down the house

NEW YORK -- Mariano Rivera finished what Babe Ruth started 85 years ago, and New York bid farewell to fabled Yankee Stadium with a 7-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday night that prevented postseason elimination -- at least for a day.

A loss would have officially ended New York's run of 13 straight playoff appearances, and a Boston win Monday night against Cleveland would still do the trick.

Johnny Damon and Jose Molina homered 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 $1.3 billion palace rising across the street.

Molina, filling in for Jorge Posada and batting ninth, hit a two-run shot off rookie Chris Waters (3-4) in the fourth to give New York a 5-3 lead.