Rays’ loss the clincher for Athletics

SEATTLE — The Athletics clinched their first playoff berth in four years Monday night, earning at least an American League wild card when the Rays lost to the Yankees 4-1.

Following three straight lastplace finishes in the AL West, the A’s found out just a couple of minutes after the first pitch of their game against the Mariners that they are in the postseason for the first time since 2014.

The Rays’ loss eliminated them from playoff contention. The A’s still have an outside shot at overtaking the Astros for the division title, but it is more likely they are headed toward a wildcard matchup with the Yankees.

Few people imagined the A’s could make the playoffs this season as a young team with few proven stars that finished 75-87 a year ago. They won only 68 games in 2015 and 69 in 2016.

The A’s have the third-lowest payroll among the 30 majorleague clubs at $78 million for their 40-man roster, ahead of only the White Sox and Rays.

They were 34-36 and 11 games behind the Mariners in the wildcard race on June 15. The A’s went 60-26 after that.

“We’ve had some younger players mature and become, for me, stars,” manager Bob Melvin said Monday. “I think the two guys on the corners (third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Matt Olson) should win Gold Gloves.

“Our defense is night-and-day to what it was and it’s gotten better as the year’s gone along. We’ve gone from being one of the worst defenses in the league to now one of the best. We don’t just rely on one facet. We seem to be able to win in different ways.”

The Athletics are making their fourth playoff appearance in the last seven seasons and their 27th all-time.