National Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay's plan to use an opener was derailed by recent heavy bullpen use. Yonny Chirinos showed that fill-in starters, even on a pitch count, can be an excellent replacement.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors might be one of the most unheralded teams to ever make the NBA Finals.

Toronto middleweight Elias (The Spartan) Theodorou, a former "Ultimate Fighter" winner who fought 11 times in the UFC, has been dropped by the mixed martial arts organization.

TORONTO — Raptors fever has unquestionably seized Toronto as the team makes an unprecedented bid for the NBA championship.

HAMILTON — Being a CFL head coach hasn't left Orlondo Steinauer speechless during training camp. During his tenure as Hamilton's defensive co-ordinator (2013-16), Steinauer said he was routinely left hoarse and speechless by the first week of camp.

BOSTON — Bill Buckner, a star hitter who became known for making one of the most infamous plays in major league history, died Monday. He was 69. He died after a long battle with Lewy body dementia, Buckner's family said in a statement.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors shattered the NBA's Canadian television audience record during the decisive sixth game of the Eastern Conference final. Sportsnet says an average of 3.

PARIS — Canada is without a player in the men's draw at the French Open after Denis Shapovalov lost his first-round match 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-4 to Jan-Lennard Struff on Monday. Shapovalov, the 20th seed from Richmond Hill, Ont.

VANCOUVER — Months after she spoke out about alleged harassment and bullying by a former coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps, a former player says she's optimistic about the potential for change.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have signed centre Josh Norris to a three-year, entry-level contract, ending his NCAA career at the University of Michigan after two seasons.