ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — As the Boston Red Sox celebrated an improbable postseason berth at Tropicana Field, with Champagne and beer flowing all around, the clubhouse soundtrack seemed appropriate.
“Stayin’ Alive.’’
“I think that pretty much says it all,’’ left fielder Roman Anthony said Sunday. “We pretty much stayed alive when nobody else thought we could. Now here we are.’’
The Red Sox were 32-46 and 15 1/2 games back in the AL East race on June 24. They have since gone 52-25 and will be in the playoffs.
The Red Sox lost 5-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays in their series finale, so couldn’t take care of things themselves. But about an hour after the game finished, the Houston Astros lost 4-2 to the Atlanta Braves, allowing the Red Sox to secure a wild-card spot.
Shortly after the Astros-Braves result went final, Red Sox players, coaches and staff members gathered near the Tropicana Field mound for a team photograph.
“I really don’t care how we got in, as long as we got in,’’ shortstop Trevor Story said.
Interim manager Chad Tracy was in place for much of the turnaround. Since being appointed on April 26 following the dismissal of Alex Cora, the Red Sox have gone 74-55.
“Look, we were not in a good spot,’’ Tracy said. “We were not playing good ball. But it shows you that if you stick to it, good things can happen. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.’’
First baseman Willson Contreras said he kept the faith, even when things trended downward, and the reward was sweet.
“It’s hard not to have some tears over this,’’ Contreras said. “It’s a great accomplishment, but I don’t want this team to stop here. I want to keep going. We have proven that you can get hot and overcome a lot of big odds.’’
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin throws out Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Díaz at first base after fielding Diaz's ground ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story, right, is congratulated by third base coach Chad Epperson (81) after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
CHICAGO (AP) — Dallas Turner threw Tyson Bagent to the ground, then took off down the field in celebration. It rained on his parade, for sure, but that was just fine with him.
Turner had two of Minnesota's four sacks, including his takedown of Bagent on the final play, and the Vikings shut down Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears for a damp 9-3 victory on Sunday.
“I feel like, just preparing myself for these moments, ever since I was in college,” said Turner, a third-year linebacker who also had a sack during a 39-22 win over Green Bay in Week 1. “I feel like it’s very important, just keep on showing up every single day to execute at a high level.”
Isaiah Rodgers recovered a fumble and blocked a late field-goal attempt as Minnesota improved to 2-0 for the first time since it opened the 2024 season with five consecutive wins. Aaron Jones rushed for 105 yards and Will Reichard kicked three field goals, including a 39-yarder with 1:09 left.
The Vikings earned their seventh consecutive win at Soldier Field, matching the franchise record for consecutive road wins over a division opponent. They won seven straight at Detroit from 1968-74 and seven straight on the road against Green Bay from 1971-77.
Williams left with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter, silencing a drenched crowd of 58,914. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was 15 for 26 for 138 yards, and he had five carries for 42 yards.
“We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said.
Led by Turner and Blake Cashman, Minnesota limited Chicago to 297 total yards. Cashman had 10 tackles and a sack, and Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted an ill-advised throw by Williams in the first quarter.
The Bears (1-1) rolled to 291 yards rushing and 552 yards overall in their 59-37 victory at Carolina in Week 1. It was the highest-scoring season opener in NFL history.
Williams got hurt on a scramble deep in Minnesota territory. The third-year quarterback, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in the opener, was helped off the field.
Tyson Bagent came in and passed to D’Andre Swift for 1 yard before throwing an incomplete pass on third down. Johnson then sent Cairo Santos on for a 23-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Rodgers.
After Carson Wentz drove Minnesota to Reichard’s third field goal, Chicago had one last opportunity. Bagent found Rome Odunze for 21 yards and Luther Burden for 8 to move the ball to the Vikings 12.
Following a pair of incompletions, Bagent was wrapped up by Turner on the final play.
Wentz was 11 for 20 for 143 yards, and Justin Jefferson had three receptions for 55 yards. Wentz got the start with Kyler Murray working his way through the NFL concussion protocol.
Trailing 6-3, Williams drove Chicago to first-and-goal on the 1 on the first drive of the second half. But Swift fumbled on a hit by Jalen Redmond and Rodgers recovered for Minnesota (2-0).
“Even at the end we had a chance to win the game,” Swift said. “If I don’t give the ball up and we get points right there it might be a different outcome for us. I’ll be better.”
The teams exchanged field goals on the opening drives of the game. Jefferson’s 30-yard reception helped set up Reichard’s 35-yarder, and Williams’ 19-yard run was the big play in Chicago’s drive to Santos’ 50-yard field goal.
Vikings: DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins suffered a hip injury. ... Cashman left with 10:35 left in the third but he returned.
Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson had a hamstring injury.
Vikings: At the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.
Bears: Host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 28.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) gestures after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) lies on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, right, celebrates after recovering a fumble by the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) smiles after recovering a fumble by the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
