Al Alburquerque kisses ball and infuriates the A's

Al Alburquerque clearly was very grateful to get out of the top of the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

So grateful that he sealed his good fate with a kiss and infuriated his opponents.

With the potential go-ahead run on third, Alburquerque induced a comebacker to the mound off the bat of Yoenis Cespedes.

But before tossing to first base to end the inning, Alburquerque paused to kiss the ball, an event perhaps never seen in playoff history. When the Tigers claimed a 5-4 with a walk-off sacrifice fly, Alburquerque became the winning pitcher.

How did Al's smooch play with his opponents?

Not very well. The A's are angry.

"I didn't appreciate it," A's outfielder Josh Reddick told reporters afterward. "I thought that was immature. It was not very professional. That's all I got to say about it."

Added designated hitter Jonny Gomes to USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale: "He must not believe in baseball gods. Because baseball gods take care of that stuff."

Alburquerque refused to comment, but the Tigers, Nightengale reports, plan to talk to him about the gesture.

The A's were in a bit of a mood already, thanks to a perceived wide strike zone for Justin Verlander on Saturday night, plus a 9 a.m. PDT start time Sunday, and now they're going home in a 2-0 hole.

Certainly Alburquerque's move won't help their spirits. It's just a shame Bill Raftery wasn't providing commentary on the MLB Network.