National Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An unexpected return to the playoffs didn't last long for the Toronto Blue Jays. They surprised many by getting to the wild-card series. The top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays surprised no one by shutting them down.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland's long-reliable regulars Marcus Semien and Khris Davis powered a couple of home runs, Mark Canha made a game-saving catch against the wall and red-hot right-hander Chris Bassitt delivered the start of his life.

CALGARY — Leanne Taylor was born the same year Silken Laumann overcame long odds to stand on the Olympic podium. Laumann rowing to a bronze medal with a mangled leg at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona is part of Canadian sport lore.

ATLANTA — The scoreless innings kept piling up, along with the strikeouts.

Sarah Nurse has stood in the crosswinds of societal and sport upheaval. Her hockey career in flux because of a collective movement to further the women's game, the COVID-19 pandemic threw another layer of uncertainty on top of her hockey future.

MINNEAPOLIS — Shaken up by a scandal before the virus outbreak shrunk the season, the Houston Astros barely played well enough to reach the playoffs — with the rest of baseball actively rooting against them. Well, they're not ready to leave yet.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Michael McNiven to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract is worth US$700,000 in the NHL and $75,000 in the American Hockey League.

MUNICH — Canadian Alphonso Davies set up a goal as Bayern Munich added to its trophy haul Wednesday, beating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 to hoist the German Super Cup.

The “King” of Madison Square Garden has been deposed.

K.B. (The Bengal) Bhullar stepped away from mixed martial arts six years ago after watching his younger brother suffer severe facial injuries in a bout.