A's Close Out Season on Up Swing

The A's got A-Rod's batting average down to sub .300 for all of two at-bats. In the bottom of the ninth Billy Koch was his usual uncaring self toward the heart condition of Art Howe and allowed a 3 spot before bringing things home.

Had A-Rod finished below .300, it may have had some questioning the MVP voting. Still, you have to wonder why Miguel Tejada was pitched around his first two at-bats, hit a ball two inches off the ground for a single before Art Howe pulled him.

The Texas Rangers didn't want to give Miggi any more fuel for the MVP debate, hinging all of their hopes of a successful season on the mantle of their $25 million stat man, Alex Rodriguez.

Jermaine Dye's grandslam buffered the A's and allowed Howe to empty the benches. Of course, it's not everyday when you see the Texas Rangers bullpen shut anyone down. But they did on Sunday, shutting down the Sacramento River Cats in A's unifroms for more than four innings.