SPORTS SHORTS

MLB: Melvin, Snitker top managers

The Athletics’ Bob Melvin was voted Manager of the Year for the third time, winning the AL honor after leading Oakland to the playoffs despite the lowest Opening Day payroll in the major leagues. The Braves’ Brian Snitker won the NL award for leading Atlanta to a surprising first-place finish in the NL East. Melvin is the eighth manager to win three or more times and is one shy of the record shared by Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa.

MLB is investigating claims made against the Mariners by Lorena Martin, the team’s recently fired training and conditioning director, who said general manager Jerry

Dipoto, manager Scott Servais and director of player development Andy McKay had called Latino players “lazy, dumb and stupid, especially the Dominicans.”

The Mariners also likely will need a new third-base coach as reports say former Yankee Scott Brosius has declined a contract to return as a coach.

Ryosuke Kikuchi drove in the goahead run on a squeeze bunt in a four-run ninth inning as Japan beat the MLB All-Stars 5-3 and took a 3-1 lead in their six-game series.

NHL: Hall powers Devs past Pens

Taylor Hall scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway at 8:07 of the third period and added an empty-net tally to lead the Devils to a 4-2 victory over the struggling Penguins at Prudential Center. Hall also had two assists, Travis Zajac and Damon Severson each had a goal and an assist and Keith Kinkaid had 29 saves as the Devils snapped a three-game losing streak.

NCAA: No change in CFP rankings

The third week of the College Football Playoff rankings held steady at the top, with Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Michigan an unchanged first four from last week.

In Bridgeport, Conn., Raiquan Clark scored 33 points on 14-of-22 shooting and hit the game-winning jumper with 1.3 seconds left to lift LIU Brooklyn (3-0) to an 89-87 win over Fairfield (1-2).

In Albuquerque, N.M., Vance Jackson scored 18 points to propel New Mexico to a 90-83 win in its home opener against Iona.

Asante Gist scored 19 for the Gaels (1-1)

NFL: Cincy hires ex-Brown Jackson

The Bengals hired Hue Jackson, recently fired as Browns head coach, as a special assistant to head coach Marvin Lewis as he tries to resurrect Cincinnati’s atrocious defense.

During his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called reports he is interested in hiring Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley should he fire Dallas head coach Jason Garrett as “totally speculation.”

ETC.: McIlroy to focus on PGA in ’19

Rory McIlroy is set to give up European Tour membership to focus on the U.S. PGA Tour — at least for 2019.

Alex Morgan scored late in the first half and the U.S. national team wrapped up the year with a 1-0 win over Scotland in Glasgow.