The champagne will have to go back in the cooler for at least one more day.
The Oakland A's magic number shrunk to one after they beat the Minnesota Twins 9-1. The only thing that stopped the A's from securing a division title was a 3-1 Texas Ranger victory in Kansas City.
The A's are now just one win, or Ranger loss, away from winning the American League West--and that could happen tomorrow at the Coliseum.
Anxious fans had to wait out a rain delay today.
An unusual September storm flooded both dugouts and turned the field into a soggy mess. That did not stop A's fans from rooting for their team.
"The rain was a complication today but nothing I wouldn’t endure for my A’s," fan Monica Orrey said. "I am so thrilled. We made it."
Fans are thrilled Oakland is close to returning to the postseason for the second straight year.
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"Super excited," fan Charmin Brummer said. "I already have my postseason tickets."
After the game was over, many of the 26,000-plus A’s fans, and the players, stayed to find out the final score of the Rangers game before leaving the Coliseum, anticipating an A's celebration Saturday.
No such luck, but A's fans are willing to be patient.
"That means I am here tomorrow to root my team on to clinch it," Orrey said.
"Today would have been a special day, but tomorrow will be even more special," fan Sean Kelly said.
Fans said they are just waiting to celebrate, and from the looks of the locker room, so is the team.
The champagne will have to wait for the next win.
"It’s gonna be hella awesome," fan Daniel Braudrick said. "Two years in a row. We are finally on the right track, you know? We had some rough years, but I’m feeling it this year, you know?"
While some fans have eyes on a World Series ring, they are happy living in the moment.
"I hope they go all the way," fan Lauren Wink said. "That’s the biggest goal, but we’ll go one day at a time."
The A's will go for the sweep--and the division crown--against the Twins tomorrow at 1:05 p.m., but it could happen before that game is over if the Kansas City Royals beat the Rangers.
MORE: Saturday acts as a dress rehearsal for A's clinch party.
