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Indians aim to clinch first playoff berth in six years

Sep 23, 2007 - 2:01 PM Oakland (75-81) at Cleveland (91-63) 1:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians aim to punch their ticket to the postseason when they take on the Oakland Athletics in the finale of a three-game set at Jacobs Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Indians assured themselves of at least a tie for the American League Central with the Detroit Tigers' loss to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. They lead the Tigers (84-71) by 7 1/2 games in the division race.

But Cleveland did not officially clinch its first postseason berth since 2001, dropping a 9-3 decision to Oakland on Saturday night.

Dan Haren won for the first time in a month and Nick Swisher had three hits and two RBI for the Athletics, who handed the Indians just their second loss in their last eight contests.

On Sunday, Cleveland again will try to clinch playoff spot behind Jake Westbrook (5-9, 4.41 ERA), who has not won since August 28. The 6-3 righthander yielded four runs and 12 hits in five innings but did not figure in the decision in a 7-4 win vs. Detroit last Tuesday.

Westbrook will be opposed by rookie Dallas Braden (1-7, 6.41), who will be making his first start since September 11.

The righthander allowed just one hit while striking out and walking three in 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his last two outings - both in relief. His last win in a starting role was on August 12.

Oakland snapped a five-game losing streak with its win on Saturday.