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, while reaching the post-season for the third straight year.

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, Edwin Encarnacion reached 30 homers for the seventh straight season and 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, a layoff caused by a strained left calf.

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 behind the Yankees.

In Chicago, Jose Quintana pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning, Victor Caratini drove in two runs 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.