One team gave up eight runs in a loss. The other team scored eight runs in a win. And their two very different outcomes have left them tied for the second wild-card spot in the American League.
Once 11 games back for that spot in mid-June, the Oakland A’s have been on a torrid run of wins and quality baseball since then, devouring the Mariners’ lead for that postseason spot. A decisive 8-3 win over the Blue Jays at the Coliseum improved the A’s record to 64-46.
Meanwhile, Seattle was slogging its way through a lackluster 8-3 drubbing by the Astros, resulting in a second straight series loss and falling to 63-45.