Oakland clinches AL wild-card berth for 2nd straight year

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SEATTLE (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have clinched a wild-card berth in the American League before even throwing a pitch on Friday night.

The A's claimed one of the two wild-card spots when Cleveland lost to Washington. The A's exchanged handshakes and a handful of hugs in the dugout prior to the first pitch against Seattle, but the bigger celebration had to wait.

The Athletics began the night with a one-game lead over Tampa Bay for the first wild-card spot and home-field advantage. The A's and Rays will meet Wednesday night.

It's the second straight year the A's have earned the wild card and third wild-card berth since 2014. Oakland is 59-27 since June 17, the best record in baseball during that stretch.

Oakland has now reached the postseason 10 times since 2000.