Oakland Athletics Clinch Playoff Spot - East Idaho News
Sports

Oakland Athletics Clinch Playoff Spot

  Published at

Getty S 10212 Athletics?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1349160968838Ezra Shaw/Getty Images(OAKLAND) — The Oakland Athletics are back in the playoffs.

The A’s beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Monday night to clinch at least a Wild Card berth and are now just one game behind the Rangers for first place in the A.L. West.

Grant Balfour struck out the side in the ninth inning to seal the win for the A’s, who return to the playoffs for the first time in six years. “Absolutely amazing,” said manager Bob Melvin. “We don’t get this done unless everybody believes in everybody and everybody plays unselfishly.”

The A’s (92-68) entered the season without much expectations, but have used young talent to surprise many in baseball. “We’re just a bunch of young guys having fun,” outfielder Coco Crisp said. “You wouldn’t think all these rookies would be doing things like this.”

Crisp hit a go-ahead double in the fifth inning against Scott Feldman, as the Atheltics still have hope to take the A.L. West from the Rangers (93-67). 

Jarrod Parker earned the win for the A’s after beating Texas for the third time this season.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION