Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mike Fiers took a shutout into the sixth inning for his eighth consecutive win, and the Oakland Athletics beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-3. Pinch-hitter Chad Pinder delivered a three-run homer to keep the A’s unbeaten in three games against the Cardinals this season.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson Cruz hit three home runs in a game for the second time in 10 days, powering the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins over the Kansas City Royals 11-3. A day after he homered, doubled twice and drove in five runs, Cruz again had five RBIs. He hit a two-run homer in the first inning, a solo drive in the second and a two-run homer in the sixth. Cruz didn’t get a chance at a record-tying fourth home run _ he was left on deck when Jorge Polanco grounded out to end the eighth.

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Tony Gonzalez probably could have been a star in the NBA. Instead, he chose the NFL path, and the most productive tight end in history has entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A six-time All-Pro, Gonzalez helped revolutionize the position, lining up in traditional tight end spots as well as flanked out or in the backfield _ pretty much everywhere on the field

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals activated outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the injured list Saturday and put him in left field and batting cleanup against the Oakland Athletics. Ozuna missed 28 games with fractured fingers on his right hand, an injury he suffered against San Diego on June 28.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are still sorting out their running back situation with a week to go before their preseason opener, and the job hasn’t gotten any easier with starter Damien Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury. Carlos Hyde, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson and cornerback-turned-running back Tremon Smith are among those in the mix.