The Oakland Athletics continued their storybook run on Tuesday night as they once again stunned the Texas Rangers. Following Tuesday's 3-1 win, the A's and Rangers are tied for first place in the American League West. In Wednesday's series and regular-season finale, the A's have a chance to capture the division outright. The winner of the game will claim the division, while the loser will enter Saturday's one-game playoff for the Wild Card.
Texas took an early lead on Tuesday as Josh Hamilton hit a two-out RBI double in the third inning. The A's finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, when Derek Norris drove in two runs with a single to give Oakland a lead that they would not relinquish. Jonny Gomes added a big insurance run in the sixth with his 18th home run of the year.
Travis Blackley got the biggest win of his career, giving up just one run on three hits and two walks in six innings of work. Grant Balfour picked up his 24th save of the year with a perfect ninth inning.
Wednesday's winner-take-all game will pit A.J. Griffin against Ryan Dempster. It'll be one for the ages.