Oakland clinches AL wild-card berth for 2nd straight year

Posted September 27, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - The Oakland Athletics have clinched a wild-card berth in the American League before even throwing a pitch on Friday night.

The A's claimed one of the two wild-card spots when Cleveland lost to Washington. The A's exchanged handshakes and a handful of hugs in the dugout prior to the first pitch against Seattle, but the bigger celebration had to wait.

The Athletics began the night with a one-game lead over Tampa Bay for the first wild-card spot and home-field advantage. The A's and Rays will meet Wednesday night.

It's the second straight year the A's have earned the wild card and third wild-card berth since 2014. Oakland is 59-27 since June 17, the best record in baseball during that stretch.

Oakland has now reached the postseason 10 times since 2000.

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A fan holds a sign that reads "A's Clinch!" as Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Seattle. The Athletics clinched a wild-card berth in the American League before the first pitch of their game when the Cleveland Indians lost to the Washington Nationals. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

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