The Texas Rangers clinched the American League West division title and booked their first Major League Baseball playoff berth in 11 years on Saturday with a 4-3 victory over Oakland. Jorge Cantu delivered the tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning.
After closing pitcher Neftali Feliz retired Cliff Penningtonon a fly ball for the last out of the game, players poured out of the Rangers dugout to celebrate.
Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, who has been sidelined for three weeks with broken ribs, embraced teammates and jumped up and down near third base.
The Rangers became the second team to secure a major league playoff berth, joining American League Central champions Minnesota.
Texas is the only current major league club never to win a playoff series. The Rangers won three AL West crowns from 1996-99, but they lost to the New York Yankees in the first round each time.
Cantu's solo homer in the eighth was his first home run since he was traded from Florida to Texas in July.
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