SPORTS SHORTS
MLB: Royals win AL Central In Kansas City, Mo., the Royals, who defeated the Mariners, clinched the AL Central for their first division title in 30 years.
Johnny Cueto picked up his first victory in nearly six weeks, and the win, coupled with the Twins’ 63 loss to the Indians, ensured a title.
Royals reliever Greg Holland has a right elbow ligament tear that will end his season and likely require surgery.
lThere were no beanballs and no brawl, just another win for the Orioles, who completed a threegame sweep by beating the Nationals 54 in Washington, thanks to Matt Wieters’ tworun homer in the eighth inning.
In Los Angeles, Chris Heisey hit a grand slam during the Dodgers’ sixrun fifth inning, and Los Angeles trimmed its magic number to four for the NL West crown and a postseason berth with a 63 win over the Diamondbacks.
In Oakland, Calif., Cole Hamels pitched six innings to earn his fifth consecutive win, Prince Fielder hit his 22nd homer and the Rangers beat the Athletics 81 to complete a threegame sweep. The Rangers moved a seasonhigh 14 games over .500 and extended their lead to 3¹/₂ games over the idle Astros in the AL West. Texas heads to Houston to begin a threegame series on Friday.
The Red Sox hired Mike Hazen as general manager, promoting him from assistant GMto rebuild a team that went from World Series champion to the AL East cellar.
Boston also shut down Hanley Ramirez for the rest of the season due to right shoulder inflammation and announced that Pablo Sandoval has pneumonia, meaning he possibly could miss the rest of the season. NFL: Pack’s Lacy misses practice
Running back Eddie Lacy and receiver Davante Adams missed practice for the Packers with ankle injuries they suffered during Sunday’s win over the Seahawks.
lDolphins running back Lamar Miller (right ankle) and tight end Jordan Cameron (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis.
l Panthers star middle linebacker Luke Kuechly remains out of practice with a concussion, raising questions about whether he will miss his second straight game on Sunday.
lThe Bears are not expected to officially announce Jimmy Clausen as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game at Seattle until Friday, but he is doing all the firstteam work. ETC: Lawyer in Kane case quits
Thomas Eoannou, the lawyer of the woman accusing Blackhawks star Patrick Kane of sexual assault, abruptly quit the case Thursday night, saying he’s no longer comfortable representing her because of how her mother reported finding an evidence bag they believed once held the woman’s rape kit.
lThe Lakers announced they have signed forward Metta World Peace. The deal is for oneyear and is nonguaranteed, according to reports. ... Jason Richardson announced his retirement after a 13year NBA career in which he averaged more than 23 points a game for Golden State 10 years ago.
lThe NBA is adding additional rest days to its Finals schedule, putting two days in between every game for which travel is necessary.
lCardale Jones will remain topranked Ohio State’s quarterback Saturday against Western Michigan.