Rangers Lose Division, Will Host Wildcard

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For the first time since April 8, the Texas Rangers are not leading the AL West.  Unfortunately, this is the only time it counts.  The Rangers lost the final game of the regular season to the Oakland A’s 12-5 on Wednesday and lost the division in the process.  Texas lost 9 of their last 13 games, including the final 3 to the A’s.  It marks the only time this year the Rangers have been swept in a series.

Texas will play a wildcard game on Friday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington against the Baltimore Orioles to see who advances to the ALDS.   “It’s down to one game or go home. Today was to win the division. Now it’s win or go home. It’s a different animal,” said Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler.

The Rangers took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the 4th inning when the A’s exploded for 6 runs.  A turning point in the game took place with the game tied at 5-5 and Yoenis Cespedes hit a routine fly ball to Josh Hamilton for the apparent 3rd out.  Hamilton, however, dropped the ball, allowing 2 additional runs to score.

After the Hamilton error, the Rangers went lifeless, commiting 2 more errors while allowing the A’s another 5 runs.

Yu Darvish is expected to be on the mound for the Rangers on Friday.  Tickets are available at texasrangers.com