Astros mark successive titles

TORONTO—Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander had never before been in a conference room to celebrate winning a division title.

Verlander and the Astros clinched their second straight AL West championship just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when Seattle beat visiting Oakland 10-8 in 11 innings on pinch-hitter Chris Herrman’s home run.

The Twitter account of the defending World Series champions posted videos of players, coaches and their partners jumping up and down in celebration inside a meeting room at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto.

“It was pretty unique,” Verlander said. “There’s been some unique scenarios, but not like that one.”

Houston opens the AL Division Series at home on Oct. 5 against Central Division champion Cleveland. Infielder Alex Bregman said he was “super pumped” to repeat as division winners.

“We haven’t had the smoothest of rides, a little adversity along the way, but we’ve pushed through it and we’re playing good baseball at the right time,” he said.

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel was among those who stayed up to watch the game at Safeco Field.

“Any excuse to party is a good excuse,” Keuchel said. “We did a little bit last night. I’m hurting today.”

Win or lose later Wednesday, Houston planned to have a party in the visiting clubhouse of Rogers Centre after the series finale.

“It’s a little different this year, but we still have to celebrate because we deserve this,” infielder Jose Altuve said. “It’s been a really good year for us, ups and downs like normal, but we ended up making it. I think we deserve a good celebration.”

Not all the Astros gathered to watch Herrman’s drive. Altuve had headed back to his own room in the eighth, figuring the A’s would hold an 8-5 lead.