OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) β Sean Doolittle allowed a three-run homer to J.P. Arencibia during a six-run ninth inning, and the Oakland Athletics lost 6-1 to the last-place Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.
It was the fourth blown save in 25 chances for Doolittle (1-4) this season.
The bearded closer’s meltdown on the mound negated a stellar start by Jeff Samardzija and ended Oakland’s two-year reign as AL West champions. The Los Angeles Angels clinched the division with a 5-0 win over Seattle and the loss by the A’s.
Oakland dropped into a tie with Kansas City for the AL’s top wild card. Seattle is two games behind the A’s and Royals for the second and final berth.
Sam Fuld’s single in the fifth drove in Oakland’s only run. Robbie Ross (3-6) got the final five outs for the win.
