SPORTS SHORTS

MLB: Rays clinch playoff spot

Kevin Kiermaier was hit by a pitch, apparent retribution for scooping up a Toronto scouting report two days earlier, Austin Meadows hit a three-run homer during a six-run third inning and the Rays clinched a postseason berth with a 7-1 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

In Milwaukee, Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill homered as the Cardinals won their 11th straight game, extending their lead for the second NL wild-card spot in a 11-2 win over the Brewers.

Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman each homered as the Braves won 9-2 over the Diamondbacks in Phoenix to lead by three games in the N.L. East.

In Philadelphia, Bryce Harper threw out the tying run at the plate in the eighth inning and Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run to lift this Phillies to a 4-3 win over the Orioles.

Kyle Seager hit his 35th home run and the Mariners moved up in the AL wild-card race by defeating the Athletics 4-1 in Oakland. The Mariners defeated the A’s for the third game in a row.

NFL: Fields to make 1st start

Rookie quarterback Justin Fields is set to make his first start for the Bears when they visit the Browns this week because veteran Andy Dalton is sidelined with a left knee injury, coach Matt Nagy said.

Tampa Bay’s Antonio Brown was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and could miss this week’s road game against the Rams.

Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standouts DeMarcus Ware, Antonio Cromartie and Robert Mathis, receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin and center Nick Mangold are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski did not rule out Odell Beckham Jr., who had knee surgery last year, to make his season debut Sunday against Chicago.

ETC.: Osaka pulls out

Naomi Osaka pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open, a move that was expected after she indicated following her U.S. Open loss that she planned to take another extended break from tennis.

The NHL found no evidence that Sharks forward Evander Kane bet on NHL games or tried to throw games after investigating allegations made by his estranged wife.

The Timberwolves fired president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, less than a week before training camp in yet another leadership change for a franchise often in flux.