With a playoff spot finally assured, the A’s were able to take something of a victory lap tonight at Safeco Field. While other outcomes are still possible, it seems increasingly likely the A’s will head to Yankee Stadium for the wild card game on October 3rd.
The A’s learned of their playoff bid as they were batting in the first inning, but found themselves trailing a few minutes later as Seattle took a 1-0 lead on a solo shot from Robinson Cano. Despite the PED suspension (or perhaps because of the rest it afforded him), Cano has had a very good year, and drove a middle-middle fastball out to deep right-center field.