MLB: Shooting aid & anniversary: Houston celebrates

The Houston Astros have won the American League West for the second time in a row. After winning their 100th victory against the Toronto Blue Jays themselves, they were helped by the Seattle Mariners, who defeated the Oakland Athletics in Extra Innings.

After the 4:1 victory over the Blue Jays, the Astros reached the 100-win mark for the second time in a row. Even more: Their Magic Number to win the AL West shrank to 1. All that was missing was an A’s defeat.

The A’s led 6:3 in the beginning, later 8:5 in Seattle, but the A’s late fought back and still in the ninth inning the 8:8 equalization. In the eleventh inning it was Pinch-Hitter Chris Herrmann who made the M’s – and Astros – cheer with a 2-Run-Walk-Off-Homerun.

So only one decision remains to be made in the American League: The one about home rights in the wildcard game. The Yankees and A’s are both still in the race, but after New York’s 9:2 victory in Tampa Bay, the Magic Number has shrunk to 3 to secure home rights. The Yankees now have a 2.5 game lead over Oakland.

The Astros in turn receive the Cleveland Indians as West Champions in the National League Division Series.

This article was published without prior review by Major League Baseball.