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OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics are hardly accustomed to playing in first place at the All-Star break. Yet the top spot seems to fit them just fine at the moment -- even if its quite a change for the low-budget club long known for those second-half surges that make for a dramatic September. The As are all alone atop the AL West at the break for the first time since 1990. And thats saying something for the defending division champions, who last June 30 trailed the Texas Rangers by 13 games before rallying to capture the West crown on the seasons final day. It didnt hurt for momentum that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes won the Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities Monday in New York. At 56-39, the As are making another statement after surprising everybody with a stunning sweep of the Rangers to end the 2012 regular season and steal away the AL West title from Texas. "I really believe that the guys in this clubhouse really believe that we have one of the best teams in baseball," third baseman Josh Donaldson said. "Its just one of those things, where when we get an opportunity to play a good team like the Red Sox or the Pirates or the Cardinals, were out there sending a message that we are a good team, that were for real." Cespedes has continued to make strides in his second major league season, and perhaps winning the Derby will help propel him into the second half. The second-year slugger from Cuba has 15 home runs and 43 RBIs. And Oakland announced Wednesday it would open the gates an hour earlier to fans for remaining Friday home games so they can watch Cespedes and others take batting practice. "Hes not happy about his average right now but his productions still there for a guy whos hitting (.225)," manager Bob Melvin said. "Hes always on the verge of a hot streak." Oakland has seven wins in 10 extra-inning games, and six walkoff victories already after 14 last season led the majors. The As also have their first winning first half since 2008 -- with plans on making another run at an underdog division title. "Everythings rolling pretty well," Donaldson said. "Weve got a lot of guys in the lineup that can do some damage, not only just hitting home runs but getting on base. ... From 1 to 25, we feel like we can put anybody in the game and theyre going to be successful." Who would have thought Angels stars Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Co. would sit a surprising 11 games back at this stage? The As lead Texas by two games. "Theyve got a pretty good team to work with, too," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It was very impressive what they did last year, because I dont think they envisioned theyd make the playoffs. At the beginning it was kind of like, Do the best you can and well worry about the future later. I dont think BoMel (Melvin) got into that, because you cant have that attitude as a manager, because that transfers to your players." General manager Billy Beane did acknowledge his club was in rebuilding mode, so the As overachieved. They lost in the deciding Game 5 of the AL division series to the Tigers, who went on to be swept by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. Melvin has done an admirable job mixing and matching to cope with injuries to key players such as centre fielder Coco Crisp. Oaklands substitutes have done their share. "It shows that there are 25 guys in this room that, when used properly, can compete and win games," said Nate Freiman, who singled home the winning run against Mariano Rivera in an 18-inning win over the Yankees last month. "And it shows that the guys making the decisions are good at making the decisions and they know how best to use guys." Donaldsons steady bat is a key reason the As are in the lead. He is hitting a team-best .310 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs and 107 hits, most in the first half by an As player since Carney Lansfords 118 in 1988. Donaldson is the first As player to bat at least .300 with 15 or more home runs before the break since Jason Giambi in 2001. Donaldson didnt make the AL All-Star team, with closer Grant Balfour the lone representative in place of 40-year-old, 12-game winner Bartolo Colon. These young, unselfish As are accustomed to being snubbed, and certainly dont mind the role of overlooked opponent. Though that image might be wearing off in a hurry if they keep this good thing going. Along with Donaldson, Brandon Moss also has 16 home runs. "Its fun to watch our lineup hit," lefty starter Tommy Milone said. "Theres no easy out. That makes it tough, especially for other pitchers. Its good for us because we go out there and feel comfortable with any lineup that we put out there."Ultra Boost Tarjous . 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Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games..Tom BradyPatriots vs. Browns ? Tommy takes offThe situation: Tom Brady makes his season debut after a four-game suspension and shreds the Browns with 28-of-40 for 406 yards and three touchdowns. But how about those feet? The play: On this play, the famously slow-footed QB added a 4-yard run in the third quarter, after which he popped up and delivered this first-down signal. Brady was fired up.David Richard/AP.Tevin ColemanFalcons vs. Broncos ? Tevin dives for a crucial scoreThe situation: Second-and-19 from the Denver 31-yard line, with the Falcons leading 13-3 with 8:00 left in the third quarter of a still close game. The play: Tevin Coleman is lined up in the slot one-on-one against Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall. Coleman gets a step on Marshall, and Ryan fires a perfect pass that splits two Broncos defenders. Its a three-score margin now.Joe Mahoney/AP.Darius SlayEagles vs. Lions ? Slays ridiculous interception wins itThe situation: The Lions had taken a 24-23 lead, but with 1:28 left in the game, Philadelphia was driving and needed only a field goal to swipe the win. The play: Darius Slay reaches over Nelson Agholor for a remarkable interception to seal it. It was the first pick of Carson Wentzs young career. A catch wouldve put Philly in field-goal range.Duane Burleson/AP.Marcus SherelsVikings vs. Texans ? A punt return makes it a blowoutThe situation: Down 17-0 in the second quarter, the Texans were punting from their own 22-yard line. The play: On a deep punt from Shane Lechler, Marcus Sherels runs right up the middle of the field and blows by defenders for a 79-yard punt return and score. That makes it 24-0, and the Texans can just about head to the airport.Adam Bettcher/Getty.Ben RoethlisbergerJets vs. Steelers ? Big Ben drops a dimeThe situation: The Steelers trail the Jets 3-0 with 10:25 left in the first quarter. The play: Sammie Coates catches a 72-yard touchdown pass off a perfect throw, and Ben Roethlisberger is officially cranked up. He finishes with 380 yards and four TD passes.Don Wright/AP.Ezekiel ElliottBengals vs. Cowboys ? Zeke shows off his wheelsThe situation: The Cowboys are cruising at 21-0 with 11:47 remaining in the first half. The play: Ezekiel Elliott takes a Dak Prescott handoff on the Cowboys first play of the second half and uses blocks from tight end Geoff Swaim and right tackle Doug Free to get into the secondary untouched. From there, hes a blur. Zeke goes 60 yards for a touchdown and essenttially ends the game.dddddddddddd.Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports.Nickell Robey-ColemanBills vs. Rams ? A huge interception breaks a tieThe situation: The game is tied at 16, and the Rams are trying to move the ball with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter. The play: Lining up in the slot, Nickell Robey-Coleman undercuts a 10-yard out pattern by Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, picks off the pass and races 41 yards for a touchdown. The Bills go up 23-16 and hang on to win.Jae C. Hong/AP.Amari CooperChargers vs. Raiders ? Amari Cooper cracks 100The situation: Second-and-10 from the Raiders 36-yard line, with the Chargers leading 17-9 and 11:34 remaining in the third quarter. The play: Amari Cooper uses a quick hitch move to blow by Adrian Philips down the left sideline and haul in Derek Carrs pass in stride. From there, he cruises into the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown. Its Coopers first TD of the season.Ezra Shaw/Getty.T.Y. HiltonBears vs. Colts ? T.Y. Hilton bags a game winnerThe situation: The Colts are at the Bears 35-yard line with Chicago leading 23-19 and just 3:51 remaining. The play: Colts quarterback Andrew Luck steps up in the pocket to avoid the rush and finds receiver T.Y. Hilton, who got a step on Bears cornerback Jacoby Glenn. Not pictured is tight end Jack Doyle getting the safetys attention to open the middle of the field for Hilton.Mitchell Layton/Getty.Brandon MarshallJets vs. Steelers ? Jump, juggle ... touchdown!The situation:Its second-and-9 from the Steelers 15-yard line, and the Jets are trailing in the second quarter. The play:Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a pass into the corner of the end zone, looking for Brandon Marshall. It should have been picked off by Steelers cornerback Ross Cockrell, but the ball bounced off his hands directly to Marshall. Thats a touchdown, folks.Don Wright/AP.Jamison CrowderRedskins vs. Ravens ? A punt return springs the SkinsThe situation: With 5:11 left in the first quarter, Washington is off to a rough start and trailing 7-0. The Ravens are punting. The play: The Redskins have two men deep to field the punt because of swirling winds. Crowder, on the left, plants and immediately sprints left then upfield through a huge hole. He dodges punter Sam Koch and bags an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown, the first for the Redskins since 2008.Mitchell Layton/Getty ' ' '