OAKLAND, Calif.
Kamar Aiken Jersey . -- The plastic that was
taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that
was on ice went back into the cooler. The Athletics will have to wait at least
one more day before celebrating a playoff berth. A year after capturing the AL
West with a dramatic win on the final day of the regular season, Oakland lowered
its magic number to one for clinching a second straight division title, beating
the Minnesota Twins 9-1 Saturday behind the pitching of Jarrod Parker and
hitting of Alberto Callaspo. "Its something where we know weve got to take care
of what we do, and if we win its going to take care of itself," said Parker, who
allowed one run and four hits over six innings. "Right now we got to do what we
do. We know its right there. If we handle what we do and we win games, its going
to happen." The As were prepared just in case it happened Saturday. After
Oaklands win, most of the team stayed in the clubhouse to watch the ending of
the second-place Texas Rangers game against Kansas City. About 100 fans lingered
in the stadium as well, viewing the game on Coliseums two big scoreboards. When
the Rangers recorded the final out to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the
celebration was put on hold. Oakland can still clinch at home by beating
Minnesota in the series finale on Sunday. "Its the best thing that can happen
for any team, not just for us, to qualify in your home city," said As slugger
Yoenis Cespedes, who hit his 26th home run of the season in the eighth inning.
Callaspo also homered and matched his career high with four hits for Oakland.
The As have won 12 of 15 and are 16 of their last 21, opening a season-high 7
1/2-game lead over second-place Texas entering Saturday. "Were swinging the bats
well and adding on and hitting home runs and doing a lot of things that we
continue to do," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "The timing for that seems to
be pretty good." Parker (12-7), who may start the As post-season opener, gave up
one run and four hits in six innings, allowed only two runners past first and
didnt walk a batter for the fifth time this season. He gave up eight runs
against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 16. Callaspo matched his career highs
with four hits and had three RBIs. Kurt Suzuki also homered for the As, and
Jed Lowrie had three hits. The game started after a two-hour rain delay. The
visiting dugout was flooded and sewage backed up in the As coaches bathroom, the
third such incident at the Coliseum this season. The infield was covered by a
silver tarp before the game and workers repeatedly had to sweep big puddles of
water away. Josmil Pinto homered for Minnesota, 1-5 on its trip. Twins starter
Pedro Hernandez (3-2) gave up six runs and eight hits in two innings. "Any
mistake you make right now they jump on you," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire
said. "Its like piranhas with blood in the water. They add on and just keep
swinging. Every time we made a mistake they just kill you. They are really
getting after it." Callaspos two-out single in the first drove in Lowrie, and
the As opened a 6-0 lead with a five-run second. Chris Young had a sacrifice
fly, Cespedes a two-run single and Callaspo a two-run homer. Suzuki added a
two-run homer in the sixth off Liam Hendricks and Cespedes hit 26th homer in the
eighth. NOTES: Minnesota is 4-13 in its last 17 games. ... Oakland CF Coco Crisp
was in the original starting lineup, then was scratched due to the lingering
rains. ... The Twins have a winning record against every AL West rival this
season except vs. Oakland.
Timmy Jernigan Jersey . The FA rejected
Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and
said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league
matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec.
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Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian
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. -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to
Tampa Bay.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval
is thin and happy. He showed up at the Giants spring camp a few days ago after a
winter of rejuvenation in his native Venezuela. He refined his nutritional
intake, got in shape and played a little ball in the Venezuelan Winter League.
The result is a noticeable weight loss. How much is up for debate -- he would
not divulge how much he has dropped when he met with the media. He has been
listed at 240. He said reports that the weight loss reached 40 pounds were
incorrect. As for what is behind the transformation --he had a similar one
between 2010 and 2011 - Sandoval said it doesnt necessarily have anything do to
with the fact that his three-year, $17.15 million deal expires after the season.
Sandoval said he would be open to discussing an extension before the season
begins. General Manager Brian Sabean indicated recently the Giants also might be
willing to make something happen. "Im not going to say no. If it happens, it
happens," Sandoval said. At 27, he is entering his prime. "Im happy with myself
and want to come out and show my talents," he said after hitting .278 with 14
home runs and 79 RBIs in 2013, a year in which he spent some time on the
disabled list. "People say I can do a lot better. I just want to show that I
have grown up and that I take my job seriously. But I really dont care what
other people say." Unless those other people happen to be teammates. Sandoval
said he talked to a handful of teammates toward the end of last season about his
approach. They included starting pitcher Matt Cain, catcher Buster Posey and
outfieldder Hunter Pence.
C.J. Mosley Ravens Jersey. "I feel blessed to
hear from those guys. When a former MVP (Posey) says something, you listen,"
Sandoval said. Pence said he did not speak his mind in a critical tone. "I dont
think I got on him. I just encouraged him. Hes the one who did all the work,"
Pence said. "Were just thrilled to see him come in at the weight he has." Giants
manager Bruce Bochy said he also talked to Sandoval at the end of the season.
"Sometimes its like being a parent," Bochy said. "You tell one of your kids
something, and it goes in one ear and out the other. Sometimes it means more
coming from a peer. "He knows that he can do many things on the baseball field.
He has to be consistent, have discipline every day. It is easier when you were
21-22-23 years old and now you have to put more work into it." NOTES: A portion
of the pitchers did some conditioning and threw bullpen sessions on Saturday.
Most of the others, including starters Tim Hudson and Tim Lincecum and closer
Sergio Romo, will take their turns on Sunday. "No radar guns, just working on
stuff," Bochy said . . . Posey and the catchers also were able to take a few
hacks in the batting cage . . . Pence said most of the players are coming to
camp with an edge. "We dont believe what happened last year is who we are," he
said . . . the team has announced that beginning this (regular) season, all fans
entering AT&T Park will be screened with metal detectors. This complies with
Major League Baseballs mandate that all teams begin using metal detectors by the
start of the 2015 season.
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