Gildenbeschreibung » Rask made a sliding pad save on Nazem K

OAKLAND, Calif. -- 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. Marquise Brown Womens Jersey . Luke Wileman and I stood in the corridor outside of the Vancouver Whitecaps dressing room at BC Place in Vancouver. Miles Boykin Youth Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. http://www.cheapravensshoponline.com/Youth-Lamar-Jackson-Ravens-Jersey/ . Darren Collison and Blake Griffin scored 23 points apiece and the Clippers beat the Suns 112-108 Wednesday night, their fourth win in a row and 17th in the last 19 games. Justin Tucker Womens Jersey . He still wanted out. "It just seemed like the direction they were going didnt fit what I thought my career was going to be," Kesler said. "At the end of the day I want to win a championship and I want to win it now, and four years is a little too long for me. Joe Flacco Youth Jersey . The day began ominously for the Rangers when star pitcher Yu Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start with stiffness in his neck. Fill-in Scott Baker gave up three hits over six innings and Chris Gimenez hit a tiebreaking two-out RBI single in the sixth off Phil Hughes.BOSTON -- Three straight goals and Jonathan Bernier in net was enough for Toronto to hold a third-period lead in Boston this time. Bernier stopped 38 shots, including 15 in the final period as the Maple Leafs held off the Bruins 4-3 on Tuesday night. "Its fun. Its why we play hockey -- that little pressure, that extra pressure. I thought we reacted in a good way," Bernier said. Bernier wasnt part of the Toronto club that blew a late 4-2 lead and lost 5-4 in overtime to the Bruins in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series last spring. But he knew plenty of his teammates hadnt forgotten, which made Tuesday night a bit of a special regular-season victory. "I thought the atmosphere was awesome. I think both teams played hard, and lots of hitting in that game," Bernier said. "When we get skating and we hit a lot, I think we get a lot of energy from our bench and we play very well." Tyler Bozak scored twice, Phil Kessel had three assists and James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist for Toronto. Jake Gardiner also scored for the Maple Leafs, who were 0-2 against the defending Eastern Conference champions this season. "Hopefully, it bleeds some of the demons out of us," Toronto coach Randy Carlyle said. Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron each had a goal and an assist for Boston. Gregory Campbell pulled the Bruins to 4-3 with 10:25 left in the third period, but Bernier stopped a late flurry of shots after Boston pulled goalie Tuukka Rask for the extra skater. Toronto scored twice on the power play, while the Bruins were 0 for 3. "We had a lot of good looks. Weve obviously got to do a better job and bear down," Bergeron said. "On the power play they did that and we didnt do it, so the games right there." Bozak answered each of Bostons first two goals, then Toronto scored two straight and Bernier continued stopping shots.dddddddddddd "Whenever you come to Boston you know its going to be tough and you know theres going to be times in the game where theyre going to be all over you," Bozak said. "Youve just got to stay composed and block some shots and need the goalie to make some saves, and Berny did a great job for us tonight to keep us in it." Rask made 22 saves for Boston, which lost for the third time in four games. He was booed after van Riemsdyks wrist shot got past him early in the third, but came up with two big saves later in the period that kept the Bruins in it. Rask made a sliding pad save on Nazem Kadri as he was being taken down by Zdeno Chara with a hook, then stopped a big shot early in the ensuing power play to keep it 4-3. Bernier withstood a flurry of shots by the Bruins early in the second, then stopped Boston on a power play to preserve a 2-all tie until Gardiner gave Toronto its first lead with 12:51 left in the period. The Maple Leafs were on a power play when Gardiner drifted in from the point to the right circle, where he took a cross-ice pass from Kessel and wristed a shot through Rask. Bergeron tucked a backhand between Berniers left pad and the post to put the Bruins up 2-1 with 9:12 left in the first period. The goal stood after a review to make sure the puck didnt slip under the side of the net. NOTES: Chara played in his 1,100th career game. ... Rask entered with 22 wins, tying his career high set in 2009-10. ... Toronto had not beaten the Bruins since a 2-1 victory in Game 6 of their playoff series last year. After playing three times so far this season, the Original Six rivals have one meeting left. ... Dion Phaneufs assist in the second period for Toronto snapped a five-game scoreless streak. ' ' '