AROUND THE HORN

Luxury tax: The Red Sox are on track to pay a $13.05 million luxury tax for a season in which they are likely to miss the playoffs. The World Series champions’ payroll for purposes of the tax increased from $239.7 million on opening day to $242.8 million Aug. 31, according to calculations by the commissioner’s office. That is well over the $206 million threshold. Because the Red Sox are over the threshold for the second straight year, they pay at a 30% rate on the first $20 million over $206 million and a 42% rate on the next $20 million. The Yankees have the second-highest tax payroll at $233.9 million, causing their projected tax to rise to $6.54 million from $3.98 million. The Cubs are third at $233.8 million. Their tax is likely to jump to $6.34 million from $5.26 million. Braves: Nick Markakis had four hits and drove in two runs in his second game back after missing 44 games with a fractured left wrist, and the Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Nationals . The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings. Fernando Rodney (0-6) was charged with the loss in the latest bullpen meltdown for the Nationals, whose NL wild-card lead dropped to 11⁄ games over

2 the Cubs.

Yankees: James Paxton won his ninth straight start, Brett Gardner homered twice and drove in five runs and the Yankees hit five home runs in a 13-3 rout of the Blue Jays. Gleyber Torres and Luke Voit went back-to-back, and Mike Ford also homered as the Yanks won for the 14th time in 19 games. DJ LeMahieu had four hits, his AL-leading 58th multiple-hit game of the season. The Yankees had 19 hits, matching their season high for a nineinning game. Paxton (14-6) allowed one run on three hits in five innings. ... RHP Dellin Betances, who has fought impingement in his right shoulder and a strained right lat, will be activated Sunday for his season debut.

Cubs: Kris Bryant and rookie Nico Hoerner homered among three hits and the Cubs went deep four times to set a club record with 237 home runs as they pounded the Pirates 14-1. Ben Zobrist and Victor Caratini added solo shots. Kyle Hendricks (11-9) allowed a run on seven hits in six innings. Nicholas Castellanos doubled twice to take over the major-league lead with 52 and drove in three runs. Anthony Rizzo had two RBIs.

Extra innings: Angels OF Justin Upton was ruled out for the rest of the season with patellar tendinitis. Upton will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and will need six weeks of recovery. ... Blue Jays LHP Tim Mayza will have Tommy John surgery. Mayza dropped to his knees in pain Friday after throwing a pitch behind the Yankees’ Didi Gregorius. ... The Diamondbacks extended the contract of GM Mike Hazen. Hazen’s name had been linked to the GM opening with the Red Sox after they fired Dave Dombrowski. Hazen worked in the Red Sox’s front office before the D’backs hired him.