A's control their own destiny in series finale

• The Rangers clinched a playoff spot after winning Game 2 of Sunday's DH
• The A's are two games behind the Rangers in the AL West
• The Rangers-A's series closes out the regular season

OAKLAND -- The Texas Rangers just got done feeling the forceful impact of Mike Trout, the first player ever with 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases in his rookie season, in a damaging three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.

Now the two-time defending AL champs will have to deal with the Oakland A's own version of Trout -- fellow rookie outfielder Yoenis Cespedes -- in a season-ending three-game set that opens Monday night.

Cespedes left his cleat marks all over the Seattle Mariners in a three-game sweep that concluded with Sunday's 5-2 A's win at the Oakland Coliseum, site of the series that figures to decide the AL West.

With the Rangers defeating the Angels in the nightcap of their Sunday double-header, the A's held a 2 game lead for the second wild card and had closed to 2 games behind Texas for the division lead.

"We're in the dugout today and all of a sudden the Angels score goes up,'' Oakland manager Bob Melvin said of L.A's 5-4 come-from-behind win. "It's so emotional at this time of year that maybe thoughts can go back and forth based on one scoreboard change. It is exciting. It is fun. It's been a roller coaster at times.''

Cespedes ignited a three-run rally in the eighth inning Sunday with a tiebreaking homer, after being mostly responsible for a two-run first that put Oakland ahead.

Cespedes drove in the game's first run with a triple, then daringly dashed home on a shallow sacrifice fly to center.

"I was going to go regardless,'' said the Cuban defector, who scored easily when Franklin Gutierrez's throw bounced off the mound. "I was going for home plate even if they killed me there.''

The previous day, Cespedes had scored from first on a routine single to right after getting a running start, helping Oakland overcome a 4-1 deficit in a 7-4, 10-inning win.

"He's got it all,'' A's starter Tommy Milone said. "I would say he's pretty similar to Trout in that aspect. He's come up big for us in a lot of games. Obviously it's his first year here, so you don't know what to expect, but he's definitely proved himself to be one of the best.''

Cespedes has missed 33 games due to injuries, and the A's 79-46 record when he starts -- compared to 12-22 when he doesn't – boosts his case for getting some MVP votes.

Much like the Angels almost certainly would be out of the race without Trout, the shoo-in for Rookie of the Year and a strong MVP candidate, the A's likely would not be enjoying this surprising run at the playoffs and their first winning season since 2006 without Cespedes' multiple contributions.

Not only does he lead all major league rookies with 82 RBI, but he ranks third with 23 homers, has stolen 16 bases and recorded nine outfield assists.

"I try to use all the weapons I have in a baseball game, not just hitting but running, fielding, throwing,'' Cespedes said. "That's why I'm happy with how things have been working out.''