Bubbly and Bernie-ing mean one thing: Oakland has clinched a playoff spot

The A's wrapped up their improbable journey to the postseason on Monday night with a 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers at the Coliseum. After Grant Balfour struck out Mike Napoli to end the game and clinch a playoff berth, there was a wild mob near home plate before the players and coaches donned the gray shirts and white hats commemorating the feat.

That was just the beginning.

During his postgame on-field interview, skipper Bob Melvin was pied in the face by Josh Reddick, continuing a season-long trend of pieing the hero. Champagne was sprayed and Gatorade was dumped on Jonny Gomes' head before the team walked up to the clubhouse to start the celebration in earnest.

The Bernie Lean took over the Oakland clubhouse as they reveled in their triumph. Eventually, victory cigar smoke filled the air. The A's have a chance to throw an even bigger party on Wednesday. With a win on Tuesday, the A's and Rangers would play for the AL West title on the season's final day. If Oakland wins the West on Wednesday, it will mark their first day of sole possession of first place all year.

-- Alex Espinoza / MLB.com Real-Time Correspondent