Angels clinch AL West title with Athletics' late collapse vs. Rangers
The Los Angeles Angels clinched the American League West title with a 5-0 shutout of the Seattle Mariners combined with an Oakland Athletics loss to the Texas Rangers.
C.J. Cron hit a three-run homer and C.J. Wilson threw seven innings of one-hit ball as the Angels rallied for five runs in the seventh inning to pick up their 12th win in 14 games.
The Halos then had to anxiously wait for the results of Oakland's tilt with Texas. The Athletics took a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning and then closer Sean Doolittle imploded. The lefty surrendered a game-tying RBI double to Rougned Odor and then promptly served up a three-run home run to J.P. Arencibia to sink the A's. The Rangers would add two more runs in the inning to complete the 6-1 come-from-behind victory.
It's the team's ninth division title and sixth since 2004.
Thousands of fans stuck around for nearly an hour after the completion of the game at Angel Stadium in anticipation of an Oakland collapse and were not disappointed.
We appreciate you all sticking around! Looks like you're having fun. #GetOctobeRED http://t.co/N4bjPL4B8o
— Angels (@Angels) September 18, 2014
The Angels become the third team to clinch their respective division title after the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles both got the job done on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles (95-57) boasts the best record in baseball and will now focus on securing home advantage throughout the playoffs.