Open Thread: Game 162 - Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers (5)

The crowd is going bonkers in Oakland, everyone on AN, wherever they are, is going bonkers. Let's hear you Oakland! A's up 8-5, going to the bottom of the seventh!

Open Thread: Game 162 - Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers (4)

You wouldn't believe me if I told you. After falling behind 5-1, the A's have stormed back with help from above to take the lead at 7-5, as Scribner has been fabulous to make up for Griffin's not-fabulousness.

We go to the bottom of the fifth, 7-5 A's!

Open Thread: Game 162 - Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers (3)

Well, if you're looking for good news, go somewhere else. After jumping out to a 1-0 lead (that should have been 2-0), Griffin gave up a 5-spot to Texas and knocked himself out of the game in the third. We're going to the bottom of the fourth, 5-1. The A's just need a couple of runs to put the fans back in the game. RIGHT. NOW.

LET'S GO OAK-LAND!

Open Thread: Game 162 - Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers (2)

The A's jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a Drew single, a Cespedes single and a Moss double. A.J. Griffin fought through the first, and then got out of the second. We still lead 1-0.

And doesn't the crowd sound amazing?

Open Thread: Game 162 - Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers (1)

It's the last game of the season and the excitement level feels higher than the playoffs and Christmas combined. Not only are the A's playing a meaningful game, but that meaningful game is a winner-take-all contest in which the A's are playing for the Division Crown, the rights to the West, and the chance to play a "real" playoff series without a play-in game.