Athletics Clinch Playoff Spot with Win over Rangers

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Oakland Athletics defeated Texas Rangers 4-3 on Monday to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in 6 years.

Coco Crisp whose powerful hitting helped A's defeat Rangers and secure a spot in the playoffs said: "We're just a bunch of young guys having fun. You wouldn't think all these rookies would be doing things like this."

Oakland's victory also means that the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays are eliminated from playoff contention.

The Rangers need only one win and will clinch a third AL West title in as many seasons.

Brandon Moss, the pinch hitter delivered a sacrifice fly for insurance while Josh Reddick added an RBI single for the Athletics.

The Associated Press quoted the A's Manager Bob Melvin as saying: "Absolutely amazing. We don't get this done unless everybody believes in everybody and everybody plays selflessly. They were all in it for the team."

Jarrod Parker, the Oakland pitcher, looked pretty impressive in beating the Rangers, however, Michael Young and Mike Napoli both homered against him.

The crowd went absolutely berserk shouting: "Let's go Oakland!" The brave Athletics won four games in a row.

Lweis Wolff, the co-owner of the Oakland Athletics said: "I never thought we'd be here this time of year. The last time we did this we had a mature group. We're in the best shape we've ever been for the future."

For the first time since when the A's were swept by Detroit in 2006, Parker pitched the Athletics back to the postseason. He equaled teammate Tommy Milone's record of 13 Oakland rookie wins.

Parker said: "Sky high. This is a team that knows it can do a lot of things. It's no surprise to me. It might be a surprise to everybody else."

Meanwhile Rangers manager Ron Washington said: "They're not afraid of nobody right now. I'm never surprised what happens over in that clubhouse with the Oakland A's. They've always got pitching, and when you've got pitching, you never know what can happen."

"I'm not sending any message. My team knows what needs to be done. The message was sent yesterday."

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