AROUND THE HORN

Rays, Blue Jays:

Kevin Kiermaier was hit by a pitch, apparent retribution for scooping up a Blue Jays scouting report two days earlier, and the Rays clinched a postseason berth with a 7-1 victory. Reliever Ryan Borucki hit Kiermaier on the back with his first pitch of the eighth, when the hosts already led 7-1. Borucki was ejected after the umpires met, which prompted Jays manager Charlie Montoyo and enraged pitching coach Pete Walker to storm out of the dugout to argue as played spilled onto the field, Walker also was tossed and there were no incidents between the players. On Monday, Kiermaier picked up a scouting card that fell off the wristband of Jays C Alejandro Kirk during a play at the plate and refused to give it back. Rays manager Kevin Cash apologized to the Jays organization Tuesday, and Montoyo said the matter was “agau under the bridge.” Austin Meadows hit a three-run HR during a six-run third for the AL East-leading Rays (94-59). The postseason berth is the third in a row and seventh since 2008 for the defending AL champs, who lost the World Series to the Dodgers in six games last year. The Jays (85-67) dropped into a tie for the second AL wildcard berth with the Yankees, who played the Rangers later Wednesday.

Reds: The Reds and manager David Bell announced a two-year extension through of his contract through 2023. Bell, 49, agreed in October 2018 to a three-year contract that included a team option for 2022. The Reds are 76-74 this season, third in the NL Central, and 184-190 under Bell. “I think we’ve talked about this all year,” general manager Nick Krall said after Wednesday’s game against the Pirates was rained out. “He’s done a great job with the team we have right now, and it was natural to have him leading us forward. We got to the playoffs last year, and we’ve had a great run this year, and we still have a chance. He knows how to run a clubhouse, and he knows how to run a dugout.” The Reds were swept by the Braves 2-0 in the first round of last years expanded playoffs. Gus Bell, the manager’s grandfather, and Buddy Bell, the manager’s father, both played for the Reds. The rest of the Reds coaching staff also is expected to return.

Indians: RHP Shane Bieber, who hasn’t pitched since June 13 because of a strained right shoulder, is scheduled to start against the White Sox on Friday night. The reigning AL Cy Young winner threw 57 pitches in a minor league start for Double-a Akron on Sunday and had a bullpen session Tuesday. “He felt pretty good, so we’re comfortable with starting him Friday,’’ Indians interim manager Demarlo Hale said. “We’ll definitely put a pitch count on him. We haven’t established that yet, but it won’t be too big of a jump from a rehab game in the minors.’’ Bieber is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 starts. He went 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA in 12 starts during the shortened 2020 season.

Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt is set to return, just over five weeks after being hospitalized when he was hit in the head by a 100 mph line drive. A’s manager Bob Melvin announced that Bassitt will come off the IL and start Thursday’s series finale against the Mariners in a matchup of AL wildcard contenders. Bassitt was leading the AL with 12 wins when he was struck Aug. 17 by a liner off the bat of the White Sox’s Brian Goodwin. The 32-year-old Bassitt was carted off the field and taken to a hospital in Chicago. He received stitches for cuts in his face and had surgery for a fracture in his right cheek.