By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, September 25, 2014

Oakland suffered another setback in its quest to return to the American League playoffs on Thursday, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Rangers at Texas. Adran Beltre’s walk-off solo home run did the trick, and the A’s missed an opportunity to clinch a berth in the AL’s one-game play-in.

It was the Rangers’ 12th win in their last 13 games, while the A’s magic number to reach the postseason remains at two.

Oakland still has a chance at the single-game playoff, most likely against Kansas City or Detroit, while the Seattle Mariners have been fading of late.

What is yet to be decided is the American League Central Division championship. The Tigers and Royals have clinched a postseason berth, but the division race has yet to be decided. Meanwhile the A’s and Mariners will slug it out this weekend to complete the playoff picture.

Scott Kasmir is on the mound for Oakland Friday against the Rangers’ Nick Tepesch (5-10). The Mariners, meanwhile, host a Los Angeles Angels team that has already clinched the AL West.

Off the field, the Athletics announced a two-year extension of their player development agreement with Beloit (Wisconsin) of the Class A Midwest League through the 2016 season. The Beloit Snappers have served as Oakland’s Single-A affiliate since 2013.

“We are pleased to continue our working relationship with Beloit,” said A’s Vice President and General Manager Billy Beane in a statement. “Dennis Conerton and his staff have done an outstanding job during the two seasons we have spent with the Snappers. It continues to be a mutually beneficial affiliation, and we look forward to growing this partnership in the years to come.”

Besides Beloit, the other A’s 2015 minor league affiliates are Triple-A Nashville (Pacific Coast League), Double-A Midland (Texas League), Single-A Stockton (California League), Short-Season A Vermont (New York-Penn League) and Rookie League Arizona (Arizona League).