Postseason for Royals

The mob arrived as soon as Salvador Perez squeezed that final foul popup in Chicago, officially bringing Kansas City’s playoff drought to an end.

Yes, the Royals are going back to the postseason.

Kansas City clinched a playoff spot Friday for the first time in 29 years, beating the Chicago White Sox 3-1 behind seven scoreless innings from Jeremy Guthrie.

Kansas City secured at least a wild card and ended the longest active postseason drought among the major North American sports leagues. The last time the Royals made it to the playoffs, George Brett led K.C. to a World Series victory over St. Louis in 1985.

“It feels better than expected,” said Billy Butler, a 2004 draft pick and eight-year veteran. “It’s a great thing. I’m proud to bring this organization something they envisioned when they drafted me.”

Small-market Kansas City endured more than its share of losing in recent years. But the Royals contended into September last season and kicked down the playoff door on Friday.

The Royals crowded around Perez near the plate after he caught Michael Taylor’s foul out.

A large contingent of Kansas City fans crowded near the visitors’ dugout, watching the party, and players tossed black and white playoff caps to them before walking off the field.

The clubhouse was as chaotic as expected, with players dousing each other with bubbly and snapping pictures, whooping it up as the franchise’s years of losing gave way to pure joy.

As the scene unfolded, Brett stood nearby with a bottle in one hand and a cup in the other, doing his best not to get drenched.

“I got tired of the people criticizing the players on this team because they hadn’t won a World Series since 1985,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of these guys weren’t even born in ’85. It’s not their fault. These guys played their (butts) off all year.”

And look where they are now.

With Detroit losing to Minnesota, Kansas City trails the Tigers by a game in the A.L. Central with two to play. If they are tied after Sunday, the teams will play game No. 163 at Detroit on Monday to determine the division winner.

Kansas City also maintained a one-game lead in the wild card standings over Oakland.

Guthrie (13-11) could not have been much better, pitching four-hit ball while winning his third straight start. He struck out six and walked one.

Athletics 6, Rangers 2: Josh Reddick drove in three runs, Scott Kazmir won for the first time in seven starts and Oakland moved ever so close to their third consecutive playoff appearance with a victory over host Texas.

The A’s, who snapped a three-game losing streak, need to win one of their final two games or have the Mariners lose one of their final two games to claim an A.L. wild card spot.

Indians 1, Rays 0: Corey Kluber (18-9) struck out 11 in eight innings, and Cleveland beat visiting Tampa Bay.

Cleveland was eliminated from the postseason after Oakland’s win over Texas.