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Payton's RBI single in 10th lifts A's over Angels

Oct 2, 2006 - 12:02 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics will head to Minnesota on a positive note.

Jeremy Brown scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error in the top of the 10th inning to lift the Oakland Athletics to an 11-10 season-ending victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Athletics finished 93-69 en route to the American League West title and will play at Central Division winner Minnesota on Tuesday. The Twins won the AL Central with a victory over Chicago combined with a loss by Detroit to Kansas City.

"This was a game where we got a lot of guys a chance to get ready for the playoffs," A's manager Ken Macha said.

With two outs in the 10th, Brown doubled off Chris Bootcheck (0-1) and scored when Payton lined a shot off Anaheim reliever Brendan Donnelly's midsection. Donnelly recovered but threw wild to first base, allowing Brown to score from second base.

"I just knew he (Payton) could get down the line fast so I just hurried my throw and threw it away," Donnelly said.

Chad Gaudin (4-2) worked a scoreless ninth for the victory while Ron Flores worked the 10th for his first save this season.

"I just wanted to get our guys in the bullpen to get into this game, so they can be ready for our next game," Macha said.

Oakland starter Rich Harden, whom the Athletics were considering for a spot in the postseason rotation, allowed six runs, three hits and three walks in just 3 2/3 innings. The righthander is coming off shoulder problems.

"It was a rough outing, but I got work on some things to help me get ready for the playoffs," Harden said.

Frank Thomas led Oakland with four RBI, including a three-run homer, his 39th of the season and his most since he slammed 42 in the 2003 with the Chicago White Sox.

Jeff Mathis hit a three-run homer for Anaheim, which finished 89-73, three games behind Oakland.