Sports News Roundup: Blaney advances in playoff, Thomas breaks leg and many more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Blaney advances in playoffs with Charlotte win

Ryan Blaney successfully navigated his way through a final-lap wreck that claimed the top two drivers, took the lead and went on to win the Bank of America Roval 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Sunday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway's infield road course. The victory at Concord, N.C., in the cutoff event of the first round of the playoffs, gave Blaney automatic entry into the Round of 12 of the 10-race playoffs, which resume next weekend in Dover, Del.

NFL notebook: Thomas breaks a leg, makes an obscene gesture

Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas has carted off the field in the fourth quarter Sunday after what head coach Pete Carroll confirmed after the game was a fracture in the All-Pro's lower left leg. As he was being carted off, the 29-year-old Thomas made an obscene gesture toward his own team's sideline, raising his middle finger. It was unclear for whom the gesture was intended, as Thomas was on the other side of the field near the Arizona Cardinals' sideline.

Tennessee State LB Abercrombie in 'very critical condition'

Tennessee State linebacker Christion Abercrombie is in "very critical condition," as he recovers from emergency surgery after suffering a head injury, Tigers coach Rod Reed said Sunday on his radio show. Abercrombie complained to trainers about having a headache shortly before halftime of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt and collapsed a short time later. He was rushed to nearby Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., and underwent emergency surgery.

Nationals GM expects Martinez to return as manager

Dave Martinez is expected to return as manager for the Washington Nationals next season, general manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday. "We haven't considered anything else," Rizzo told reporters in comments published by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.

Report: Steelers actively shopping Bell

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone from taking calls on holdout running back Le'Veon Bell to making them, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Steelers have yet to receive an acceptable offer for Bell, who has refused to report to the team or sign his franchise tender after getting tagged for the second consecutive offseason.

Scioscia steps down as Angels manager

Mike Scioscia said Sunday after the season finale that he will not return as manager of the Los Angeles Angels, sparking an outpouring of praise from people who have worked with him in the organization for most of the last two decades. The announcement ends months of speculation about the future of Scioscia, 59, who has led the Angels for the past 19 seasons. After a 5-4 home win on Sunday against the Oakland A's, Scioscia finishes with a 1,650-1,428 regular-season record. He guided the franchise to a World Series championship in 2002.

Europe beat the United States to regain Ryder Cup

Europe regained the Ryder Cup as captain Thomas Bjorn's team reached the 14.5 points they required to beat the United States at a packed Le Golf National on Sunday. Leading 10-6 going into the 12 singles matches there were some nervous moments on an exciting afternoon as the Americans occasionally threatened a comeback.

Colts K Vinatieri breaks all-time field goals record

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is now the NFL's all-time leader in field goals. With a 42-yarder against Houston in the second quarter Sunday, Vinatieri booted Hall of Fame member Morten Andersen to second place on the all-time list. He also connected on a 44-yard field goal later in the game, which the Colts lost in overtime, 37-34.

Baseball: Tiebreak games launch postseason on Monday

It's playoff time in Major League Baseball with a pair of tiebreak games on Monday launching the month-long chase to World Series honours. The Milwaukee Brewers will be at the Chicago Cubs after the two tied for the National League Central title and the Colorado Rockies will travel to the Los Angeles Dodgers to decide the National League West championship.

MLB roundup: Two NL tiebreaker games set

Charlie Blackmon hit an RBI double in the eighth inning to complete the cycle, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 12-0 on Sunday in Denver to tie the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West. Blackmon tripled in the first, homered in the third and singled in the fifth to help Colorado make quick work of the Nationals and force an extra game for the division crown.

(With inputs from agencies.)