Monday, September 24, 2001
Athletics wrap up wild-card berth
Mulder first A's lefty to win 20 since Blue
The Associated Press
OAKLAND — Last season, the Oakland Athletics waited until their final game to win a playoff spot. This season, they rebounded from an abysmal start to earn the AL wild card with a dozen games to spare.
This one was sweeter, reigning AL MVP Jason Giambi announced after the A's clinched with a 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
“We got off to that slow start, and we were having a tough time,” Giambi said. “We suddenly flipped a switch and before you knew it we were 10 games up on the wild card. It's unbelievable.”
Mark Mulder earned his 20th victory and Jermaine Dye, a key midseason acquisition, hit a three-run homer as the Athletics joined Seattle as the only teams in the majors to earn playoff berths.
Although the postgame celebration was more subdued than last year, in light of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, champagne was flowing in the A's clubhouse.
The A's handed Seattle — which has won the AL West — its season-high fourth straight loss and first sweep of the year.
Oakland won its 12th straight home game, an ongoing record for the team since moving from Kansas City in 1968. The victory, coupled with Minnesota's 4-2 loss to Cleveland, put the A's in the playoffs for the second straight year.
Last season, Oakland won the West on the final day of the season, and Seattle earned the wild card spot.
This year, the A's stumbled from the start and were 8-18 on May 1.
“Nobody ever quit,” Giambi said.
Oakland (92-58) has the second-best record in the major leagues behind the Mariners (106-44). The A's are 57-18 since June 27.
Seattle still needs eight wins in its final 12 games to tie the AL record set by the 1998 New York Yankees (114-48). The Mariners need 10 wins to match the major league record established by the 1906 Chicago Cubs (116-36).
Reds Stories
Toughness, turnovers key win vs. Ravens
Daugherty: How about that, Elvis?
Sullivan: New outlook, newfound success
Bengals Notebook
Bengals report card
Offensive line up to challenge
Rackers has worst day as pro
Smith on NFL debut: 'It was awesome'
Victim salute, upset win put emotions on display
Four's not a crowd in Indy
Jaguars' Taylor among NFL's injured
Super loss for New Orleans?
Earnhardt rolls at Dover
College football roundup
Huggins, Bearcats pursue recruit
Div. II, III boys sectional golf on tap
• Return to Reds front page...
Athletics wrap up wild-card berth
