Pena shares HR crown

Carlos Pena didn't pick up a bat for about the final month of this season but still ended up finishing with a share of the American League home run title.

Much to the first baseman's surprise, the 39 homers he had when he suffered two broken fingers after being hit by a pitch Sept. 7 at Yankee Stadium held up heading into the final day, and when New York 1B Mark Teixeira went homerless in four trips to the plate, the two shared the crown.

"When my injury happened, there was so much season left that the last thing on my mind was the fact that I was going to be able to be leading the league in home runs," Pena said. "I didn't expect this to happen, so I'm extremely happy and thrilled."

Teixeira hit six homers after Pena's injury - including a pair in the second game of a doubleheader that very day - but wasn't able to get over the top as Pena sat for the Rays' final 25 games.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Pena is the first player in the live-ball era (since 1920) to lead the league in homers after missing the last 25 games.

"Really, the way he was swinging the bat, I could envision easily 45 home runs out of him this season - he was going that well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm just pleased that he's able to hang that up on the wall, that title."

Aki ponders future

Akinori Iwamura didn't play Sunday and departed Tropicana Field with no idea where he'll be playing in 2010. The Rays hold a $4.85 million option on him for next season but aren't expected to pick it up - though there is a possibility they could re-sign him at a more affordable wage.

"Nobody knows about next year at this point," Iwamura said before the game through interpreter Tateki Uchibori. "I'd like to stay here, but I have no control over it."

The 30-year-old finished with a .290 batting average in 69 games, missing more than three months after suffering a serious knee injury May 24. He said he was proud to have returned to the field this season after he was initially feared to be lost for the year and has enjoyed his time with the Rays.

Rooting interest

Five players from last year's Tampa Bay squad are on playoff teams again this year: Eric Hinske (Yankees), Rocco Baldelli (Red Sox), Scott Kazmir (Angels), Trever Miller (Cardinals) and Jason Hammel (Rockies).

If the Tigers win Tuesday's one-game playoff against the Twins, Edwin Jackson would be the sixth. Should Minnesota win, 2007 Devil Rays Delmon Young and Brendan Harris will get berths.

Carl Crawford said he plans to attend a Tigers game to support Jackson if Detroit makes it.

"It's nice to see," said Crawford. "When you know some players, it's always good to see guys that you're friends with - you've got somebody to root for."

Odds and ends

The Rays drew 28,699 fans for Sunday's finale, giving them a total attendance of 1,874,962 this season (23,148 average). They drew 1,811,986 last year. ... Maddon has the Angels and Cardinals - his former employer and his favorite team growing up - meeting in the World Series.

Marc Lancaster