ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300136
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: BASEBALL PLAYOFF RACES
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
The Texas Rangers clinched their first postseason berth in the 36-year history of the franchise, winning the AL West title Friday night when Seattle lost 8-1 at Oakland.
The Mariners' loss ensured the Baltimore Orioles can do no worse than tie for the AL wild-card spot.
When the Rangers clinched, they were in the field during the top of the 13th inning of their game against California, with the score tied 2-2.
The crowd of 46,764, a record for the three-year-old Ballpark in Arlington, gave the team a standing ovation when Seattle's final score was posted on the scoreboard down the left-field line.
While there wasn't any reaction from players on the field, the Rangers in the first-base dugout shook hands and general manager Doug Melvin flashed a wide smile from his luxury suite.
Texas Gov. George Bush, one of the team's owners, stood and applauded as did Rangers president Tom Schieffer.
In the middle of the 13th, the large scoreboard in right field flashed ``1996 American League West Champions.''
When the inning ended, catcher Ivan Rodriguez hugged other players in the Rangers dugout.
Five cases of champagne awaited the Rangers in their clubhouse.
Texas was in first place in 1994 when the strike ended the season.
The franchise began as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961 and moved to Arlington following the 1971 season. The Rangers finished second in the AL West in 1974, 1977, 1978, 1986 and 1993.
DODGERS EARN BERTH: While the Los Angeles Dodgers were trying to wrap up the NL West title Friday night against visiting San Diego, they learned they were assured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs.
In the bottom of the third inning, the scoreboard at Dodger Stadium flashed the final from Montreal: Braves 6, Expos 4. The loss by the Expos dropped them three games back of Los Angeles in the wild-card race, with just two games remaining for Montreal.
Los Angeles was assured of the spot because the Dodgers have 90 wins and can't be caught by Montreal, which has 87 wins with two games left.
LENGTH: Short : 48 linesby CNB