10:00 PM ET, September 17, 2014
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
Associated Press
Angels Win AL West
When the A's were finally finished, the Angels roared up the tunnel and onto their home field, goggles in place and champagne bottles in hand.
More from ESPN.com
The
Angels clinched their first AL West title since 2009, setting the stage
for the first postseason appearance for Mike Trout, Arash Markazi
writes. StoryLos Angeles clinched the division title Wednesday night, getting seven dominant innings of one-hit ball from C.J. Wilson in a 5-0 victory over the Mariners.
"It's a great feeling," said Albert Pujols, headed to his first AL postseason in his third year with the Angels. "But at the end of the day, it's a better feeling when you get to hold that trophy. And that's what we're waiting for."
C.J. Cron hit a three-run homer for the major league-leading Angels (95-57), who wrapped up their first division crown since 2009 when Oakland lost to Texas. The Angels charged the field afterward, celebrating with several thousand fans who stuck around chanting "Let's go Rangers!" and "M-V-P!" for a grinning Mike Trout.
"Everybody just wanted it to happen tonight, so we're lucky to get to celebrate with our fans," said Wilson, who struck out seven. "I feel like we've been special for three years. We just haven't put it all together until now."
The Angels had already secured a playoff spot Monday, capping a dominant run through the summer and into September. They have won 12 of 14, and lead Baltimore (92-60) by three games for home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Sky The Limit For Angels
The
Angels are on pace for a franchise-record 101 wins this season. Their
top four seasons based on winning percentage, all under Mike Scioscia:| 2014 | .625 | 95-57 |
| 2008 | .617 | 100-62 |
| 2002 | .611 | 99-63 |
| 2009 | .599 | 97-65 |
| -- ESPN Stats & Information | ||
The Angels weren't assured of the clinching win until their five-run seventh inning broke up a pitchers' duel between Wilson and Seattle rookie James Paxton. Howie Kendrick sparked the rally by scoring from first base when Chris Denorfia misplayed David Freese's single to right for an error.
Wilson (13-9) earned his third straight victory in intimidating fashion, allowing only three walks and Justin Smoak's single in a major improvement from recent starts. He escaped his only jam in the seventh, stranding two runners.
Paxton (6-3) yielded four hits and had eight strikeouts for the Mariners, who have lost six of eight. Seattle managed just one hit and is two games behind Kansas City and Oakland for the second AL wild card.
"It's tough, but games like this happen," Paxton said. "That's just the way baseball works. Sometimes the other teams get the breaks. We just put this game behind us. There's time left here for us to gain some ground on those guys. It's not over `til it's over."
Paxton was even more dominant than Wilson, retiring 17 of the Angels' first 18 hitters. Paxton allowed only two bouncing singles in the first six innings while striking out Trout three times.
Scioscia Takes Place Atop Skipper Elite
Mike Scioscia joined a select club of active managers Wednesday night with his sixth division title -- all with the Angels:Among Active Managers
| Mike Scioscia | 6* |
| Bruce Bochy | 6 |
| Ron Gardenhire | 6 |
| Buck Showalter | 3* |
| Joe Girardi | 3 |
| Bob Melvin | 3 |
| *Includes this season | |
| -- ESPN Stats & Information | |
GOLDEN SOMBRERO
Trout appears to be the likely AL MVP, but he struck out four times, including his fourth K to end the seventh, tying Baltimore's Chris Davis for the AL lead with 173 strikeouts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: LHP Roenis Elias headed back to Seattle for an MRI after feeling stiffness in his elbow. Manager Lloyd McClendon said Elias is probably done for the season.
Angels: Josh Hamilton was out of the starting lineup after feeling a bit sore following his return from a shoulder injury Tuesday. The cleanup hitter likely wouldn't have started anyway against a tough left-hander.
UP NEXT
Two aces meet in the series finale when Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez (14-5, 2.14 ERA) takes on Jered Weaver (17-8, 3.50).
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press
Photo Wire
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of...
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Game Information
| Stadium | Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA |
| Attendance | 36,875 (81.1% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 2:37 |
| Weather | 85 degrees, partly cloudy |
| Wind | 9 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Jerry Meals, First Base - Bob Davidson, Second Base - Chris Conroy, Third Base - Jordan Baker |
Research Notes
Mike Scioscia won his 6th division title... All with the Angels.. the only team he's ever managed...
That's tied with Bruce Bochy and Ron Gardenhire for the most division titles among active managers.
Buck Showalter got his 3rd on Tuesday night with the Orioles.
[+] |
The
Angels are on pace for a franchise-record 101 wins this season. The 6
best seasons in franchise history have all come under manager Mike
Scioscia.
[+] |
Since August 1st, The Angels and A's offenses have gone in drastically different directions.
[+] |
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