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OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics hope they are poised for another spectacular September like the one that propelled them to an improbable AL West title over the Texas Rangers on the final day last season. The Rangers arrive Monday for an important three-game series, clinging to a one-game division lead over Oakland with six meetings left. Coco Crisp and Stephen Vogt homered, A.J. Griffin struck out seven in seven innings, and Oakland completed a three-game sweep of fellow playoff contender Tampa Bay with a 5-1 victory Sunday. "This is what we look forward to, a chance to control our own destiny and get where we want to be, and thats to win the division," third baseman Josh Donaldson said. The As are on a nice little roll again. Oakland pulled off a pair of one-run wins before Sundays result against the Rays, who are right behind Oakland in the AL wild-card race. "The games were a little more electric, definitely, playing against a good team, a scrappy team like Tampa and being in the situation were in alongside of them," Crisp said. "They do bring the energy and playing against a team like that the atmosphere it has been a little bit more intense." After Crisp led off the bottom of the first with a home run, James Loney tied it with his own longball in the top of the second. Griffin (12-9) settled in after that to win his second straight outing following a four-start winless stretch in which he was 0-2. Griffin allowed one run on five hits and walked one. He yielded his majors-leading 33rd home run, most since current pitching coach Curt Young gave up 38 in 1987. The defence behind him made some crucial stops. Wil Myers was thrown out at the plate to end the seventh trying for the tying run on a single by Desmond Jennings. Griffin was there to congratulate catcher Vogt, who took Donaldsons relay and tagged Myers on his second swipe after the baserunner tried to avoid Vogt and went over the bag. Donaldson said replay showed Vogt tagged him the first time. "I knew the situation, the line drive was hit to my right and I froze on it. I should have gotten a better read on it," Myers said. "I didnt know where the ball was so I was just trying to avoid the tag. When youre not scoring runs, things like that get magnified." Vogt then connected for his third home run in the bottom of the seventh, against the club that traded him to the As on April 5. Oakland earned its first sweep in a series of three or more games since June 11-13 against the Yankees. The As have won six of seven and seven of nine following an 8-13 stretch from July 30-Aug. 23. "Were in a good groove right now and looking to keep that going," Griffin said. Tampa Bay missed another chance in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Kelly Johnson led off with double, but fresh September additions Luke Scott and Delmon Young failed to deliver against Sean Doolittle. The Rays swept the As in April, then Oakland returned the favour to leave the season series even -- meaning a possible tiebreaker for the wild card would next go to intra-division records. "I dont want the game," As manager Bob Melvin said of a potential one-game playoff. The skipper is scoreboard watching when it comes to Texas. On a day when the typically sure-handed Rays struggled with the afternoon sun and committed two errors, they dropped their fourth straight. Tampa Bay has scored just five runs during the skid. Oakland capitalized on the miscues. Rays manager Joe Maddon chose to go with Jamey Wright as a spot starter over lefty Roberto Hernandez against the As left-heavy lineup. Wright went 1 2-3 innings in his first start since 2007 with Texas, leaving with the game tied at 1 in the second. He allowed five of his nine batters to reach base. Alex Torres (4-1) -- the first of six Rays relievers -- pitched 3 1-3 innings of relief, giving up a go-ahead RBI single to Brandon Moss in the third. After leading the majors with an Oakland-record 13 doubles in August, Jed Lowrie started September with another in the fifth. Crisp matched his career high with his 16th home run, his fifth this year leading off the game, 11th with the As and 13th for his career. Is he ready for another strong September? The As went 17-11 over the final month of 2012. Crisp laughed and said, "If I knew the answer to that I wouldnt be playing baseball." NOTES: Wright became just the 19th Rays pitcher to start a game since 2008. ... As RF Josh Reddick no longer has pain in his right wrist after getting an injection Wednesday. He hopes to start take some swings in the cage Monday and be eligible to return from the disabled list on schedule Sept. 10. "The way things are going theres a decent chance he could be activated after 15 days," Melvin said. ... Oakland promoted four players from Triple-A Sacramento: LHP Pedro Figueroa, INFs Andy Parrino and Jemile Weeks and OF Michael Choice. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Choice, the As designated C Luke Montz for assignment. ... The As raised $61,395 on their annual breast cancer awareness day, bringing their total raised since 1999 to more than $1.3 million. Fake Nike Shoes Black Friday . - After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert. Wholesale Nike Shoes Black Friday . The Raptors have to get through the pesky New York Knicks Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and can lock up the third spot in the Eastern Conference with a win or a Chicago loss in Charlotte. http://www.nikeshoesblackfriday.com/. TSN platforms will broadcast 75+ live games per season – tripling the networks current slate of MLB games. With the new deal TSN retains rights to ESPNs SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and, for the first time, acquires rights to ESPNs MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL. Nike Shoes Black Friday Online . They have watched it from afar. And now they have seen it for themselves. Nike Shoes Black Friday Sale . Curlings version of the Ryder Cup will introduce a new format beginning with the 2015 event, set for Jan. 8 to 11 in Calgary, as itll be Team Canada taking on Team Europe this season and in the 2017 event, while itll be Team Canada against Team World (including the U.NEW YORK, N.Y. - Geno Smith shouted a couple of mighty expensive expletives.The New York Jets quarterback was fined $12,000 by the NFL on Friday for cursing at a fan after the teams game against Detroit last Sunday.Smith was walking off the field following the 24-17 defeat when he glared at a heckler in the stands and yelled at him, twice using an expletive. The fine issued by the league was for unsportsmanlike conduct.The second-year quarterback immediately apologized after the game, but acknowledged during the week that he would likely be fined for his actions. Cleveland rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel received a similar fine from the league during the preseason for flipping his middle finger at Washingtons sideline.Always be above the situation, Smith said Wednesday. Never let people get to you. Never let anyones words affect you in that manner. So Ive just learned, and its something Ive already known, but (Ive) just got to handle those situations better.Smith has declined to say what the fan said to him that set him off. Owner Woody Johnson said Thursday he was disappointed by Smiths actions, ssaying they were absolutely unacceptable.dddddddddddd But, he also was confident Smith would never again put himself in a similar situation.Coach Rex Ryan wouldnt say whether Smith would face additional discipline from the team.Well handle it the way we see appropriate, Ryan said. And again, when were ready to let you know what our decision is, well let you know.Pittsburgh defensive lineman Cameron Heyward also got in trouble with his mouth, docked $22,050 for using abusive language toward an official during the Steelers loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.Houstons J.J. Watt was fined $16,537 for roughing the passer against Buffalo. The star defensive end was called for penalties twice after hitting Bills quarterback EJ Manuel in the knee area.San Diego left tackle King Dunlap and Jacksonville defensive end Alan Branch were each fined $8,268 for their fight during the Chargers 33-14 win last Sunday.Chicago guard Kyle Long was also docked $8,268 for unnecessary roughness in the Bears loss to the Green Bay Packers.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '