Rangers clinch first division title in 11 years

[whitstatman]

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Texas Rangers clinched the AL West title Saturday and their first playoff berth in 11 years, beating the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Jorge Cantu's tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning.

Players streamed from the Texas dugout after closer Neftali Feliz retired Cliff Pennington on a fly ball to left field for the final out with the potential tying run on second base.

GAME RECAP: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300925111

Well, in a division that before the season looked like it was up to the Angels and Mariners, and in the beginning of the season looked like the A's could sneak up and take it, the Rangers clinch it. Hopefully Hamilton will be healthy for the playoff haul.

[RickD]

Nolan Ryan and crew must be very excited.

[astrosfanatic]

i think they would be more excited if Hamilton was completely healthy....from what i can tell they have kind of limped into the playoffs...they are going to need more pitching efforts like they got last night from Nippert and from the other guys not named Cliff Lee

[CoreyR]

Can't believe they have 86 wins this season, they can still get 90. Good job to the Rangers! They've played great this year.

[Buccos13]

Good for the Rangers and the Texas fans!

[TTMCentral]

Congrats to the Texas Ranger, If Andruw Jones was still there he would have shared the experience.