SB Nation Bay Area - Oakland Athletics win the AL West in amazing fashionhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-10-03T16:56:36-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32004552012-10-03T16:56:36-07:002012-10-03T16:56:36-07:00Athletics celebrate AL West title
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<p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> did not spend a single day this season in first place until today, when they dominated the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>, 12-5, at the Oakland Coliseum to take the AL West Crown. And boy, are they celebrating in the East Bay this afternoon.</p>
<p>Manager Bob Melvin got <a href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/video/?plfmxtax=video#" target="_blank">stopped for an interview</a> just minutes after the game and was almost without words, making sure to give General Manager Billy Beane a big hug before taking questions. Melvin notes how unselfish the team was, and how important the fans are to them.</p>
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<p>Derek Norris, who went 2-3 with a solo home run in the eighth inning, gets interviewed after a champagne bath in the Athletics clubhouse:</p>
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<p><span>Coco Crisp</span>, who caught the last out of the game and went 2-4 with 2 RBI, also <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/video/?plfmxtax=video#">gets stopped on the field for an interview</a> with his daughter.</p>
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<p>You can also check out this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/v11_photogallery?gid=14007&gf=aggregate">photo gallery</a> from CSN to view more of the festivities.</p>
<p>Only two other teams have spent a single day in sole possession of first, and go on to win a division or pennant in Major League history: the 2006 <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> and the 1951 New York <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>, they of Bobby Thompson's now-famous "Shot Heard Round the World."</p>
<p>Congratulations to Bob Melvin, Billy Beane and all the Athletics on their amazing season.</p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/3/3451620/oakland-athletics-celebrate-video-al-westErnie Pomin2012-10-03T15:56:24-07:002012-10-03T15:56:24-07:00The Oakland A's are AL West champions
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Oakland Athletics won the American League West, beating the Texas Rangers, 12-5. The A's capped off a comeback from 13 games down to win the division.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> are the American League West Champions. They rallied to beat the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> in the 162nd game of the season, winning the AL West by just a game.</p>
<p>The Athletics fell behind early, 5-1, as the Rangers piled on five runs at the top of the third to chase <span>A.J. Griffin</span>. But the A's rallied once again, this time with six runs in the bottom of the fourth. <span>Coco Crisp</span> doubled in the game-tying run, and <span>Josh Hamilton</span> dropped a crucial third out that scored the go-ahead runs to put Oakland ahead for good. The A's poured on another run in the bottom of the fifth, and four more runs in the bottom of the eighth.</p>
<p>The A's swept the Rangers in the final three games of the season to overcome a two-game deficit and take the division.</p>
<p>The Athletics trailed the Rangers by 13 games on June 30th. The 13-game deficit ties for the third-largest deficit a baseball team ever has had to overcome to win their division. Now they're the champions of the West.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2012/10/3/3451380/athletics-vs-rangers-al-west-championsAvinash Kunnath2012-10-03T14:19:47-07:002012-10-03T14:19:47-07:00A's rally in 4th with 6 runs, take 7-5 lead
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Oakland Athletics scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a two-run, 7-5, lead over the Texas Rangers. Coco Crisp hit the game-tying double and Josh Hamilton dropped a routine pop-up that would've ended the inning that scored the go-ahead runs.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> have paid back the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> for their quick start by chasing Ryan Dempster, then tying and eventually taking the lead in the bottom of the fourth.</p>
<p>It looked like the Texas Rangers had taken a dominant lead over the Oakland Athletics with five runs in the third inning, chasing starting pitcher <span>A.J. Griffin</span> from the game. Texas took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning.<br><br>Then, the A's started getting the bats going to start the bottom of the fourth. Brandon Moss walked to start the inning, and <span>Josh Reddick</span> doubled to score Moss. Another single by <span>Josh Donaldson</span> to shallow center sent Reddick to third. <span>Seth Smith</span> singled to bring Reddick home and advance Donaldson to second, which forced Ron Washington to remove starting pitcher <span>Ryan Dempster</span> from the game.<br><br>In came <span>Derek Holland</span>, who gave up a groundout to Derek Norris that advanced Donaldson and Smith into scoring position, then <span>Cliff Pennington</span> popped out for the second out. <span>Coco Crisp</span> then doubled right down the right field line to bring home Donaldson and Smith, and tie the game at 5-5. <br><br>After a walk by <span>Stephen Drew</span>, <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> seemed to hit a routine pop-up to shallow center, but <span>Josh Hamilton</span> let it drop out of his glove, allowing Crisp and Drew to score and give Oakland a 7-5 lead through four innings.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2012/10/3/3450970/athletics-vs-rangers-score-update-josh-hamilton-errorAvinash Kunnath2012-10-03T13:52:52-07:002012-10-03T13:52:52-07:00Texas chases A.J. Griffin, Rangers up 5-1
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Oakland Athletics are trailing the Texas Rangers 5-1, as A.J. Griffin was pulled after two-and-two-thirds innings of work.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> are currently trailing the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>, 5-1, in the fourth inning due to a bad third inning. Texas used patient hitting to drive <span>A.J. Griffin</span> from the game.</p>
<p>Oakland started scoring in the bottom of the first. <span>Stephen Drew's</span> single to the outfield put him on base, <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> singled him into scoring position, and then a Brandon Moss double to shallow right scored Drew to make it 1-0 Oakland through the first.</p>
<p>The Rangers struck back. <span>Ian Kinsler</span> started the top of the third for Texas with a single to shallow right. After <span>Elvis Andrus</span> grounded out to advance the runner, <span>Josh Hamilton's</span> single sent Kinsler to third. Then Adrian Beltre put Texas on the board with a single to shallow left to bring Kinsler home. After Nelson Cruz grounded into a fielder's choice, <span>Michael Young</span> doubled to bring home Hamilton, <span>David Murphy</span> singled to bring home Cruz and Young, a fielding error by <span>George Kottaras</span> kept the inning alive and <span>Geovany Soto</span> brought home Murphy.</p>
<p>Griffin was then pulled for <span>Evan Scribner</span>, who got the final out of the third.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2012/10/3/3450800/athletics-vs-rangers-score-updateAvinash Kunnath2012-10-03T11:05:47-07:002012-10-03T11:05:47-07:00A's, Rangers lineups for game 162
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<p>The Oakland A's and <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> have one game left to decide who wins the AL West title on Wednesday as the Green and Gold look to complete their improbable season with a division title for the first time since 2006.</p>
<p>A's skipper Bob Melvin will keep the first three players the same from yesterday, though Brandon Moss will move up three spots to bat cleanup on Wednesday. <span>George Kottaras</span> will be behind the dish to catch <span>A.J. Griffin</span> this afternoon in the place of Derek Norris.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<span>Coco Crisp</span> (S) CF</li>
<li>
<span>Stephen Drew</span> (L) SS</li>
<li>
<span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> (R) LF</li>
<li>Brandon Moss (L) 1B</li>
<li>
<span>Josh Reddick</span> (L) RF</li>
<li>
<span>Josh Donaldson</span> (R) 3B</li>
<li>
<span>Seth Smith</span> (L) DH</li>
<li>George Kottaras (L) C</li>
<li>
<span>Cliff Pennington</span> (S) 2B</li>
</ol>
<div><font size="2"><span style="line-height: 9.75px;">Texas Rangers:</span></font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>
<span>Ian Kinsler</span> (R) 2B</li>
<li>
<span>Elvis Andrus</span> (R) SS</li>
<li>
<span>Josh Hamilton</span> (L) CF</li>
<li>
<span>Adrian Beltre</span> (R) DH</li>
<li>Nelson Cruz (R) RF</li>
<li>
<span>Michael Young</span> (R) 3B</li>
<li>
<span>David Murphy</span> (L) LF</li>
<li>
<span>Mike Napoli</span> (R) 1B</li>
<li>
<span>Geovany Soto</span> (R) C</li>
</ol>
<div><font size="2"><span style="line-height: 9.75px;">First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN California, MLB Network, and 95.7 The Game FM. </span></font></div>
</div>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/3/3449872/athletics-vs-rangers-starting-lineups-tv-times-radio-coverage-moreErnie Pomin2012-10-03T10:18:22-07:002012-10-03T10:18:22-07:00Are the 2012 A's the 2010 Giants doppelganger?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rqAuYx_xJbWCA3jyIo-omlAcxX0=/0x0:998x665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/519129/146974852.1349284514.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jason O. Watson - Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Some striking homogeneity between these two Bay Area ball clubs. </p> <p>The San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami sees a number of similarities between the 2010 World Series champion <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> and 2012 <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>, but will they each have the same outcome?</p>
<p>Sure, the Giants didn't hit 111 home runs since the All-Star break like the A's have, and the A's aren't stocked with old guys like <span>Edgar Renteria</span>, <span>Pat Burrell</span> and <span>Aubrey Huff</span>. But there are some striking resemblances that can not be ignored.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2012/10/02/ok-for-serious-the-2012-as-are-getting-scarily-similar-to-the-2010-giants-let-me-explain-why/">Here's Kawakami's similarities:</a></p>
<p><strong>Regular-season records:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: 93-68 with one game to play.<br>2010 Giants: 92-70.</p>
<p><strong>Previous seasons without a playoff berth:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: Five playoff-free seasons, 2007-2011.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: Six playoff-free seasons, 2004-2009.</p>
<p><strong>Division race:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: Need to win the final game of the regular season vs. top contender Texas to clinch the AL West. (Though the A's have already clinched a Wild-Card berth.)</p>
<p>2010 Giants: Won the final game of the regular season vs. top contender San Diego to clinch the NL West.</p>
<p><strong>Game-changing rookie:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span>, 23 HRs, 25 doubles, 82 RBIs, .858 OPS.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: <span>Buster Posey</span>, 18 HRs, 23 doubles, 67 RBIs, .862 OPS.</p>
<p><strong>Crazed closer:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: <span>Grant Balfour</span>.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: <span>Brian Wilson</span>.</p>
<p><strong>Ages of top starters heading into the playoffs:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: <span>Jarrod Parker</span> 23, <span>Tom Milone</span> 25, <span>A.J. Griffin</span> 24, <span>Dan Straily</span> 23, Brett Anderson 24.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: <span>Tim Lincecum</span> 25, <span>Matt Cain</span> 25, <span>Madison Bumgarner</span> 21, Jonathan Sanchez 27.</p>
<p><strong>Crucial/relatively unforeseen power sources:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: <span>Jonny Gomes</span> (18 homers), Brandon Moss (21), Chris Carter (16), <span>Brandon Inge</span> (11).</p>
<p>2010 Giants: Aubrey Huff (26), Pat Burrell (18), <span>Juan Uribe</span> (24), <span>Andres Torres</span> (16).</p>
<p><strong>Second-half surge:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: 43-43 at the break, 9 games out of first place. 50-25 since.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: 48-41 at the break, 3.5 games out of first. 44-29 after.</p>
<p><strong>HRs post-All Star Break:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: 111.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: 80.</p>
<p><strong>Team ERA:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: 3.61, fourth in AL.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: 3.20, first in NL.</p>
<p><strong>Seasoned manager, former catcher:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: Bob Melvin, who won the 2007 NL manager of the year award with Arizona.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: Bruce Bochy, who won the 1996 NL manager of the year award with San Diego.</p>
<p><strong>Catcher trade:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: Traded veteran catcher <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> to Washington mid-season.</p>
<p>2010 Giants; Traded veteran catcher <span>Bengie Molina</span> to Texas mid-season. (And then faced Molina in the World Series. Does this mean the A's will play Washington in late-October?)</p>
<p><strong>Beat the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>:</strong></p>
<p>2012 A's: Two in a row in the last series of the season, with one to play to clinch the AL West.</p>
<p>2010 Giants: Four games to one in the World Series.</p>
<p>Pretty crazy huh? Now all we can do is keep our fingers crossed for another Bay Bridge World Series (without any earthquakes, of course).</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/giants/2012/10/3/3449584/2012-athletics-similar-to-2010-giantsErnie Pomin2012-10-03T08:54:18-07:002012-10-03T08:54:18-07:00A's, Rangers tussle for AL West title
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
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<p>After a season-long grind filled with twists and turns, the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> have one game left with the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> in the regular season to decide the American League West title at the O.co Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon.</p>
<p>The A's have already set a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/as-rookie-starting-pitchers-defying-odds/">record for the most rookie starts</a> this season, and they'll have one more when <span>A.J. Griffin</span> (7-1, 2.71 ERA) makes his final start of the year. Oakland has won 10 of his last 12 outings. The right-hander gave up one run over 5⅔ innings of work on Friday during the A's 8-2 victory over Seattle. Griffin was solid in his only meeting with Texas, allowing just two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings en route to a 4-3 road loss on June 29.</p>
<p>Texas will counter with <span>Ryan Dempster</span> (7-3, 4.64), who has the sixth-best road ERA in the league this season at 2.78. He gave up four earned runs in 5⅔ innings against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> in his last outing, taking just his third loss this year. Dempster's only had one career start in Oakland, allowing two runs in 6⅔ innings of a 6-2 victory while with the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> back in June of 2010.</p>
<p>This will be the first time since 2002 the AL West has sent two teams to the postseason.</p>
<p>First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN California, MLB Network, and 95.7 The Game FM.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/3/3449126/athletics-vs-rangers-game-preview-al-west-game-162Ernie Pomin2012-10-03T08:26:21-07:002012-10-03T08:26:21-07:00A's and Rangers still tied on final day
<figure>
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</figure>
<p>The Oakland A's are tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> as the two teams face off for the division title on Tuesday afternoon. Both teams still have a shot at the best record in the American League and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, as they are one game behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> and tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a>.</p>
<p>The loser of the A's and Rangers season finale will play in a one-game playoff on Friday against either Baltimore or New York for the chance to advance to the division series. The Orioles face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> and the Yankees play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> on Tuesday. If New York wins, they clinch the AL East and home field advantage.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> have no scenarios in their last game, as they clinched the division long ago and are locked in to the third seed in the National League playoffs. San Francisco is still waiting to see who they will face in the postseason, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> come into the last day tied for the best record.</p>
<p>For complete standings, head to S.I.'s <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/" target="_blank">MLB standings page.</a></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/3/3449004/mlb-playoff-standings-2012Craig Powers