Athletics sweep Rangers to claim unlikely title

OAKLAND, California — Same chaotic, champagne dance-party scene in the clubhouse just two days later. New T-shirt: AL West champions.

Never give up: Oakland's Brandon Moss runs to first base after hitting an RBI single in the first inning on Wednesday. AP

The Oakland Athletics won the division title with another improbable rally in a season full of them, coming back from four runs down and a 13-game division deficit to stun the two-time defending league champion Texas Rangers 12-5 on Wednesday.

"We knew this is a beast of a team we would have to beat, and to be able to beat them three games in a row and win the division on top of it, really it's a magical-type thing," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said.

Josh Hamilton dropped a fly ball in center field for a two-run error that put the A's (94-68) ahead 7-5 in a six-run fourth inning. Oakland only added to Texas' troubles the rest of the way.

While Hamilton's Rangers (93-69) are headed to the new one-game, wild-card playoff at home against Baltimore on Friday, the A's get two days off before opening the division series at Detroit on Saturday in their first postseason appearance since being swept by the Tigers in the 2006 AL Championship Series.

"It's going to be a tough matchup," Melvin said. "They have a very powerful lineup that can certainly score some runs. They also have great starting pitching. We will have our work cut out for us."

Yankees 14, Red Sox 2

In New York, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson each hit a pair of homers, powering the Yankees past the Red Sox for their 13th AL East title in 17 years.

Hiroki Kuroda (16-11) shut Boston down with an encouraging performance after struggling through much of September. He allowed two runs and seven hits over seven innings.

Granderson hit his career-best 42nd homer in the second, a three-run shot off Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-7), making his first start since Sept. 19. Cano then connected in the third for a 5-1 lead.

One batter later Matsuzaka was finished, most likely ending his six-year career with Boston. The Red Sox paid $51.1 million to win the rights to the Japanese star and gave him a $52 million contract. Matsuzaka went 33-15 in his first two years, helping Boston win a World Series in 2007. But injuries, including elbow-reconstruction surgery June 2011, marred the last four years and he finished the deal 50-37.

"I didn't expect my six years to end the way it did," Matsuzaka said through a translator. "It has been really hard on me mentally for a while now."

Ichiro Suzuki went 1-for-5 with two runs for New York.

Rays 4, Orioles 1

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Evan Longoria homered three times.

White Sox 9, Indians 0

In Cleveland, Dan Johnson hit his first three homers of the season.

Blue Jays 2, Twins 1

In Toronto, Brandon Morrow struck out a season-high 11, and Omar Vizquel wrapped up his 24-year career.

Mariners 12, Angels 0

In Seattle, Casper Wells tied a career-high with five RBIs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 5, Phillies 1

In Washington, the NL East champion Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the postseason with their major league-high 98th victory.

Braves 4, Pirates 0

In Pittsburgh, Jason Heyward singled twice and scored two runs.

Cubs 5, Astros 4

In Chicago, Houston ended its National League tenure with a loss.

Mets 4, Marlins 2

In Miami, Ike Davis hit his 32nd homer.

Rockies 2, Diamondbacks 1

In Phoenix, Jeff Francis earned his first victory in more than a month.

Dodgers 5, Giants 1

In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw finished with a major league-leading 2.53 ERA.

Padres 7, Brewers 6

In Milwaukee, Chase Headley drove in two runs.

Norichika Aoki finished 1-for-5 with a run for the Brewers.

Cardinals 1, Reds 0

In St. Louis, rookie Shelby Miller took a no-hitter into the sixth.

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