Oakland A's extend manager Bob Melvin's contract through 2018

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane announced a two-year contract extension for manager Bob Melvin at a press conference held before Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros.

Melvin's existing contract ran through the 2016 season. This is Melvin's second extension since the A's dropped the "interim" title when he took over from Bob Geren mid-way through the 2011 campaign. Melvin initially signed a three-year deal for 2012-14 and signed a two-year extension after the 2012 run to the postseason.

Bob Melvin owns a 385-339 (.532) record as Oakland's manager, and won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 2012 after the club surged to the AL West division title despite trailing by 13 games on June 30, and by five games with nine to play.

The San Francisco Chronicle initially reported a likely extension for Melvin on August 5. Susan Slusser also reported that title bumps for general manager Billy Beane and assistant general manager David Forst are to come around the end of the season as well.