BoSox first to punch playoff ticket in 2018

The Boston Red Sox are the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season.

Boston beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 Tuesday at Fenway Park, boosted by pinch-hitter Brock Holt’s go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.

Guided by rookie manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox have the best record in baseball at 99-46. They assured themselves at least a spot in the AL wild-card game.

The AL East-leading Red Sox extended their lead to nine games over the New York Yankees, who were routed 10-5 in Minnesota by the Twins.

In St. Petersburg, Fla., Josh Donaldson went hitless in his Cleveland debut as the Indians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0. Cleveland lowered its magic number to three for a third straight AL Central title.

Acquired from Toronto on Aug. 31, Donaldson went 0-for-4 in his first big-league game since May 28.

In Baltimore, Mike Fiers remained unbeaten in an Oakland uniform, working six solid innings to lead the Athletics past the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 on a damp night.

Oakland extended its winning streak to five games and is 33-15 since the all-star break, the best mark in the majors during that span. The Athletics hold the second AL wild-card spot, two games behind the Yankees.

In Chicago, Jose Quintana pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning and the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 to regain their two-game lead in the NL Central.

In Cincinnati, former Dodgers prospects Brandon Dixon and Scott Schebler homered as Los Angeles stumbled for a second straight night in a 3-1 loss to the Reds. The Dodgers fell three games behind St. Louis in the NL wild card race after the Cardinals dumped the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-5.

Arizona is 1½ games behind the Dodgers after beating NL Westleading Colorado 6-3.