AROUND THE HORN
■ Media: Thom Brennaman resigned as a Reds broadcaster, one month after he used an anti-gay slur on the air. “My family and I have decided that I am going to step away from my role as the television voice of the Cincinnati Reds,” Brennaman said in a statement. “I would like to thank the Reds, Reds fans and the LGBTQ community for the incredible support and grace they have shown my family and me.” On Aug. 19, Brennaman used the slur moments after the Fox Sports Ohio feed returned from a commercial break before the top of the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader against the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri. Brennaman didn’t seem to realize he was already on air. He later apologized. The Reds took Brennaman off the broadcast in the fifth inning of the second game, handing his duties to alternate play-by-play man Jim Day.
■ Nationals: Manager Dave Martinez agreed to a three-year extension worth $7.5 million, according to reports. The new deal will keep Martinez, 55, with the club through the 2023 season. Martinez led the Nationals to the franchise’s first World Series championship in 2019, his second season as the team’s skipper. After a title defense slowed by injuries and inconsistency during a 60game season delayed and shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, the Nats were 23-34 and last in the NL East entering the weekend.
■ Brewers: Christian Yelich homered, Brent Suter combined with Devin Williams and Josh Hader on a five-hitter and the Brewers beat the Cardinals 3-0 in the opener of a doubleheader. Both teams were among the eight NL clubs still vying for four available postseason spots. ... RHP Corbin Burnes was placed on the IL with a strained left oblique, likely ending his breakthrough season. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that if the team advances to the playoffs, Burnes would be unavailable for the first round and would be doubtful for the second round. Burnes is 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 59 2⁄
3 innings, a dramatic improvement from 2019 when went 1-5 with an 8.82 ERA.
■ Padres: RHP Mike Clevinger got a cortisone shot for his ailing elbow and the Padres are hopeful he’ll be OK for the playoffs. Clevinger, acquired last month in a big trade with Cleveland, left his start against the Angels on Wednesday after just one inning. The Padres have already clinched a postseason spot and the NL’s No. 4 seed, and will open the playoffs Wednesday at Petco Park. Before the early exit, Clevinger had been presumed as the Game 1 starter in the wild-card round. “We have not ruled out anything for next week and the first round of the playoffs,” Padres general manager A.J. Preller said.
■ Blue Jays: Hyun Jin Ryu pitched seven shutout innings and the Blue Jays clinched their first postseason spot since 2016, beating the Yankees 4-1 on Thursday night. The Blue Jays secured at least an AL wild-card spot and ensured their eighth trip overall to the postseason.