Major League Baseball

Rangers clinch AL West with 3-0 win over Oakland

Published Sep. 24, 2016 2:26 a.m. ET

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Texas Rangers secured their second straight AL West title, becoming the first American League team to clinch a playoff spot with a 3-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Beltre's homer came during a three-run seventh after Oakland starter Kendall Graveman (10-11) began with six perfect innings. Texas got its first baserunner when Carlos Gomez beat out an infield hit to lead off the seventh against Graveman.

This is Texas' eighth AL West title and fourth since 2010.

All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels (15-5), acquired prior to last year's non-waiver trade deadline, pitched the division-clinching game for the second year in a row. Last year, he threw a three-hitter in the last game of the regular season to beat the Los Angeles Angels.

Rangers closer Sam Dyson got pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso to hit into a fielder's choice for the last out to record his 36th save.

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