finishing touches

Seth Smith got a big hit and enjoyed another celebration (that’s two in three days) on Wednesday. The ex-Hillcrest Christian and Ole Miss standout had an RBI single in Oakland’s six-run fourth inning which propelled the surprising A’s to a 12-5 win over Texas and the American League West championship. … Tyler Moore, the Northwest Rankin, Meridian Community College and Mississippi State alumnus, belted his 10th homer on Wednesday, helping Washington beat Philadelphia 5-1 and celebrate for the third time in the closing stretch. Davey Johnson’s Nationals clinched home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. … Meridian CC alumnus Cliff Lee took the loss for the Phillies, but he finished with some impressive numbers: a 3.16 ERA, 207 strikeouts and just 28 walks. … Former Jackson Mets manager Sam Perlozzo, who won two Texas League championships, reportedly won’t be back as Philly’s first-base coach in 2013. Seems an odd move to make. … Former Jackson Generals star Lance Berkman made a pinch-hit appearance for St. Louis in what might have been his final game. The ever-appreciative fans at Busch Stadium gave him a standing ovation. Ex-Gens standout Bobby Abreu did not play for the Los Angeles Dodgers in what might have been his last game in uniform. … The Cardinals have announced Kyle Lohse as their starter for Friday’s wild card showdown with Atlanta. Ole Miss product Lance Lynn, an 18-game winner, surely will get a start in the NLDS if the Cards advance. … Atlanta used eight pitchers in its 4-0 win over Pittsburgh; seven of them are ex-Mississippi Braves. A horde of M-Braves alums will be on Atlanta’s postseason roster, including Friday starter Kris Medlen, while Gregor Blanco will be with San Francisco, J.J. Hoover with Cincinnati, Matt Harrison with Texas and possibly Brandon Hicks with Oakland. … Former M-Brave Scott Diamond took a loss for Minnesota on Wednesday, but he had a solid season: 12-9, 3.54 ERA for Ron Gardenhire’s 66-96 club.