There’s only one way to celebrate an AL West title: In an American flag thong.

At least that’s the route outfielder Josh Reddick went after the Astros’ 7-1 victory over the Mariners locked up a division crown. Reddick, a Georgia native who hit .315 this season, also was sporting a patriotic bald eagle T-shirt.

The alcohol-soaked celebration came after Justin Verlander was dominant in his home debut for Houston. The Astros acquired the ace from Detroit on Aug. 31, just minutes before the deadline for players to be eligible for postseason play. He had made two starts on the road before his Minute Maid Park debut.

“I don’t think you could ask for a better introduction for me to the city of Houston than this,” Verlander said after striking out 10 over seven innings. “First home start would have been great. First home start and a win would have been great. First home start and to win in a division-clinching game — you can’t make that up. And I’m looking forward to hopefully many more wins.”

As the Astros celebrated Sunday’s accomplishment, they were quick to point out that they want to finish the regular season strong to try to gain home-field advantage in the postseason by finishing with the best record in the AL. Houston led the AL for most of the season, but Cleveland moved ahead with its recent 22-game winning streak.

“For us, this is just the beginning,” Carlos Correa said. “We are just getting started.”

Houston has reached the postseason three times as a wild-card team since winning last winning its division in 2001 — with a team that included Seattle manager Scott Servais. The Astros will return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons after ending a 10-year postseason drought in 2015.

Owner Jim Crane, who bought the team in 2011 and oversaw rebuilding, reveled in the celebration.

“I had a little tear in my eye,” he said. “This has been a long time coming. It was our goal from the get-go to work hard at it, build the team and we have a really good ball club.”

For the few players still on the team who endured the really lean years, winning the first division title in 16 years was even more special.

“It means a lot because I was here when we lost 100 games three years in a row,” Jose Altuve said. “Now I’m part of some winning teams and that means a lot to me.”

With AP