A's

A's had two outs, two strikes and none on against the White Sox in the bottom of the ninth last night in Chicago. They allowed a solo homer there and again in the bottom of the 12th and lost their ninth in 11 games, 5-4.

Nineteen more days of summer:

-- at White Sox today,

-- at White Sox tomorrow,

-- at White Sox Thursday,

-- at Mariners Friday,

-- at Mariners Saturday,

-- at Mariners Sunday,

-- vs. Rangers Sept. 16,

-- vs. Rangers Sept. 17,

-- vs. Rangers Sept. 18,

-- vs. Phillies Sept. 19,

-- vs. Phillies Sept. 20,

-- vs. Phillies Sept. 21,

vs. Angels Sept. 22,

vs. Angels Sept. 23,

vs. Angels Sept. 24,

at Rangers Sept. 25,

at Rangers Sept. 26,

at Rangers Sept. 27 and

at Rangers Sept. 28.

Now behind eight games in the American League West to the Angels, the A's are now fighting to retain grasp on a wild-card spot. They remain one game up on the Mariners, and the Tigers are a half game behind Seattle. The Royals lead the Tigers by a game in the A.L. Central, but they would be a half-game behind the A's if you figure them in the wild-card standings.

That's the sitch. It's not great. It's not what any of us wanted. But if Oakland can simply start winning more often than it loses, it will have a shot at holding its place in the standings. The Mariners have won seven of their last 10; the Tigers, six, and the Royals, five. The A's are 2-8 over their last 10.