New class for trans

Bayern presents Dreesen as CEO as dispute with club great Kahn deepens

Photo: The Canadian Press

BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich’s firing of club great Oliver Kahn after winning the Bundesliga title has led to a deepening public dispute between the two and dominated questions for his successor.

Bayern presented Jan-Christian Dreesen as Kahn’s replacement as CEO on Sunday, when club president Herbert Hainer defended the decision to dismiss Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidži? the day before.

“Especially in the second half of the season, you could see that we weren’t playing as we would have wished,” said Hainer, adding that there were also doubts about Kahn and Salihamidži?’s ability to turn it around. Former Bayern president Uli Hoeneß was involved in the consultation process.

The timing and manner of the club’s decision – Bayern announced the firings shortly after winning a record-extending 11th consecutive league title – have overshadowed the celebrations.

It also takes attention away from the Bayern women’s team’s potentially title-winning game against Turbine Potsdam on Sunday.

Kahn said in a tweet that he was forbidden “by the club” from attending the team’s game in Cologne or the trophy presentation in Munich and he told Sky TV that “it was the worst day in my life, taking away being able to celebrate with the guys.”

Hainer said both Kahn and Salihamidži? were informed of their dismissals on Thursday and while Salihamidži? took the news well and subsequently traveled to Cologne with the team, “unfortunately, it didn’t go so well” with Kahn.

“It was very emotional and we couldn’t agree with Oliver in the end that the finish would be amicable,” Hainer said. “Then on Friday we sat down with the supervisory board in the extraordinary meeting and decided to dismiss Oliver Kahn. And because of this situation, of course, he couldn’t go (to the celebrations) on Sunday or to Cologne on Saturday either.”

Kahn gave a different account.

“The claim that I freaked out when I was informed about the dismissal is definitely not true,” the former goalkeeping great said in a tweet. “It was a calm and factual conversation… On Saturday morning I got the message that I can’t go to the game. I accepted this decision calmly. Of course I’m disappointed, but I’m really happy about this championship and I’m happy for the team, the coach and our fans.”

Bayern had said Saturday that Kahn wasn’t in Cologne because he was sick in bed at home. Hainer said Sunday that’s what Kahn had told the club.

On Saturday, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel appeared unsure of his future following the dismissed of the men who had brought him to the club, but Hainer said Sunday he was certain the coach will continue.

“We had a very good talk and there no thoughts (of leaving),” Hainer said. “I’ve no idea why Thomas Tuchel wouldn’t be our coach.”

Hainer said he will propose Tuesday at the club’s shareholders’ meeting that former chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge be added to the supervisory board. Rummenigge was replaced by Kahn in 2022.

But the club still needs a replacement for Salihamidži? as sporting director.

Hainer refused to comment on speculation linking Eintracht Frankfurt’s Markus Krösche or Leipzig’s Max Eberl with the position, except to say both teams are in the German Cup final, where Bayern would like to be.

The 55-year-old Dreesen, who was vice-chairman of the supervisory board since 2014, hinted that he will take a more holistic approach than Kahn, who was known for his sometimes brusque manner.

“I’m firmly convinced that what happens on the field also reflects what’s going on in the club as a whole. Everything around it is also a team,” Dreesen said. “When people enjoy their work and have trust in each other, it works better as a team and is more successful in the long term.”

Bayern’s Bundesliga win on Saturday was its 11th straight and a record-extending 33rd German championship altogether.

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Ukraine's Kostyuk booed after not shaking hands with Belarus' Sabalenka at French Open

Photo: The Canadian Press

PARIS (AP) — At first, Aryna Sabalenka thought the boos and derisive whistles coming from the French Open crowd were directed at her after a first-round victory Sunday. Instead, the negative reaction was aimed at her opponent, Marta Kostyuk, for not participating in the usual post-match handshake up at the net.

Kostyuk, who is from Ukraine, avoided so much as any eye contact with Sabalenka, who is from Belarus, after the match, instead walking directly over to acknowledge the chair umpire. Sabalenka walked toward the net as if expecting some sort of exchange.

But this is something Kostyuk has been doing whenever she has faced any opponent from Russia or Belarus since her country was invaded by Russia, with help from Belarus, in February 2022.

Perhaps the fans on hand at Court Philippe Chatrier did not know the backstory and figured Kostyuk simply failed to follow tennis etiquette by congratulating the winner after the lopsided result: Sabalenka grabbed six games in a row during one stretch and came out on top 6-3, 6-2.

“It was a very tough match — I would say tough emotionally,” said the No. 2-seeded Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

During an on-court interview in the main stadium, Sabalenka told the spectators she was sure their jeering “was against me, so I was a little surprised, but then I felt your support.”

Before play began on Day 1 of the clay-court tournament, the players did not pose together for the standard photos up at the net after the coin toss to determine who would serve first.

Kostyuk, a 20-year-old who is ranked 39th, won her first WTA title in March at Austin, Texas, by beating a Russian opponent and neither player went to the net afterward that day.

During her pre-tournament news conference on Friday, Sabalenka was asked about the likelihood there would be no handshake on Sunday.

“If she hates me, OK. I can’t do anything about that. There is going to be people who loves me; there is going to be people who hates me,” Sabalenka said then. “If she hates me, I don’t feel anything like that (toward) her.”

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Indy 500 arrives with clear favorites, plenty of off-the-radar spoilers

Photo: The Canadian Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The favorites are well known after two weeks of qualifying and practice ahead of the Indy 500, which rolls off Sunday for its 107th running with one of the largest crowds in more than three decades expected to pack Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

IndyCar points leader Alex Palou, the series champion two years ago, sits on the pole to lead the powerful quartet from Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou is the betting favorite at 5-1 odds, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, ahead of Pato O'Ward, the Mexican star for the equally stout Arrow McLaren, and Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon, who is still searching for a second Indy 500 win.

Palou and Dixon have two more teammates capable of winning in defending champion Marcus Ericsson and two-time winner Takuma Sato, while O’Ward has McLaren teammates Felix Rosenqvist and former winners Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan.

Things rarely go according to script in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” though. The chaos of 33 cars flying down the front stretch and into that infamous first turn at more than 230 mph, and the ensuing 200 laps, often produces some unexpected results.

Asked for a surprise contender, Colton Herta of Andretti Autosport replied: “Canapino.”

That would be Agustín Canapino, one of the most popular athletes in Argentina, who is making his Indy 500 debut. He has been fast in practice and, despite qualifying in the ninth row, showed plenty of speed in Friday's final shakedown.

“I think he's still got a little bit to learn from following him and whatnot on his gaps and his timing,” Herta said, “but he seems like he has a fast car. I think if he can make some adjustments driving-wise, it could be really good for him.”

Josef Newgarden, the Team Penske driver still searching for his first Indy 500 win, also said Canapino stood out to him.

“You put Canapino in position at the end and, oh, he would go for it,” Newgarden said. “He's very, very impressive this year, and people wrote him off before he even started. He's done tremendously well for no experience. I can't speak highly enough.”

Santino Ferrucci is another driver who has come out of nowhere in May. He joined A.J. Foyt Racing, which has struggled for years but underwent an operational overhaul in the offseason, and along with rookie Benjamin Pedersen has turned heads all month.

Ferrucci, who will start fourth, has never finished worse than 10th in four previous starts.

“Yeah, I think Santino can be fast if they all get it right in the pits and stuff,” Kanaan said. “He finished up front here in the past, he ran up front, and he has a really good car, so I think he's going to be tough.”

Two of the more high-profile teams have had quiet Indianapolis 500 preps before making a statement in final practice.

Andretti Autosport has flown under the radar but sent a warning shot on Friday when Kyle Kirkwood was fifth-fastest on the speed chart, with Herta two spots behind him and Romain Grosjean giving the team a third car in the top eight.

Meanwhile, the Penske team seemed to find some speed — and confidence — during final practice after putting just one driver in the first four rows in qualifying. Will Power turned the third-fastest lap in practice while Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin also were in the top 10.

Practice is one thing, though. One of the most iconic races in motorsports is something else entirely.

“It's really hard to single anyone out these days,” Newgarden said. “Anyone can win this race, genuinely. The strategy can flip on its head with 50 to go and all of a sudden the front-runners are in the back and vice versa. You just don't know how it's going to shape up. It could be a normal day; it could be a crazy day. It's always a guess when you come into these things."

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Soler homers in 5th straight game, Marlins beat Angels 8-5 in 10 innings

Photo: The Canadian Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Although the Miami Marlins survived Shohei Ohtani's latest start and traded the lead with Los Angeles down the stretch, they were pretty much out of relief pitchers when they headed into the 10th inning.

Thanks to two big hits and two bad defensive plays by the Angels, the Marlins had just enough pitching to keep up their recent road surge.

Jorge Soler homered in his fifth consecutive game, and pinch-hitter Garrett Cooper had a tiebreaking double during the Marlins' four-run 10th Saturday night in their 8-5 victory over Ohtani and the Angels.

Cooper hit a long fly to left-center off Jaime Barria (1-2), and Mickey Moniak couldn't make the tough catch after sprinting to get under it. Miami scored another run when video review determined catcher Matt Thaiss hadn't touched home plate while turning an inning-ending double play, and Garrett Hampson added a two-run single to punctuate the Marlins' third win in four games.

“It's a testament to what we've been preaching all year,” Cooper said. “We're never out of games. It's a different dynamic this year. It's a different feel.”

Dylan Floro (3-2) pitched the ninth, and Bryan Hoeing finished it despite allowing a run in the 10th for the Marlins, who have beaten the Angels in consecutive games for the first time ever. Floro pitched in his third straight game, and Hoeing appeared in his fourth in a row.

“We were going to be in trouble, honestly, if it got past that inning,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “I don't know what we would have done.”

Soler’s go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh was his 17th of the season — second-most in the majors — and 12th in May, tying Miami’s team record for the month. He is one game shy of Giancarlo Stanton’s franchise record of six consecutive games with a homer, set in 2017.

“It's like Barry Bonds right now,” Cooper said. “If I was a betting man, I'd be putting a lot of bets on this guy.”

Gio Urshela hit a tying solo homer in the eighth and added an RBI double and an RBI single for the Angels, who have lost two straight after winning six of seven. Ohtani struck out 10 and gave up one earned run in six innings, but finished May with one victory in five starts.

Angels manager Phil Nevin lamented his team's mistakes, but not Moniak's drop in deep left-center with Mike Trout right next to him.

“Those are two of the best outfielders in the game, so I'm not going to beat on that one," Nevin said. "We made plenty other mistakes that cost us tonight ... and we didn't score enough runs in regulation to get there.”

Ohtani had his fourth 10-strikeout start of the season while yielding six hits, all singles, but the two-way star still struggled with his control at key moments, yielding three walks. He also made a throwing error in the first inning that led to a run.

“He was great,” Nevin said. “Uncharacteristically threw the ball way in the first inning. ... Once in a while, some things are going to happen. I thought he rebounded and he threw the ball very well.”

Ohtani went 0 for 4 at the plate with a walk and his seventh stolen base of the season.

Edward Cabrera pitched four-hit ball into the sixth inning for Miami, but walked four.

JOYCE ARRIVING

Nevin revealed after the game that he didn’t use Matt Moore because the reliever strained an oblique muscle Friday. He is headed to the injured list. The Angels are recalling 22-year-old Ben Joyce — a 6-foot-5 reliever who set a college baseball record last year by throwing a 105-mph fastball — for his major league debut.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: LHP A.J. Puk threw a 20-pitch bullpen in Anaheim for his next step back from a left elbow injury. He's been out since May 10.

Angels: 3B Anthony Rendon ran sprints to test his injured groin, which has sidelined him for two weeks. He will travel on Los Angeles' upcoming road trip.

UP NEXT

Patrick Sandoval (3-3, 3.47 ERA) takes the mound Sunday for Los Angeles in the series finale. Miami's 20-year-old Eury Pérez (1-1, 2.79), the 6-foot-8 rookie, makes his fourth career start after taking his first loss Tuesday in Colorado.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

McMahon's go-ahead homer in 7th lifts Rockies over Mets 10-7

Photo: The Canadian Press

DENVER (AP) — Ryan McMahon hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning and the Colorado Rockies outslugged the New York Mets 10-7 on Saturday night after blowing an early six-run lead.

Charlie Blackmon's two-run double in a five-run second helped the Rockies race out to a 6-0 advantage against Justin Verlander after three innings.

Pete Alonso's major league-high 20th homer started New York's comeback in the fourth, and the Mets tied it 6-all when rookie Francisco Álvarez capped a five-run sixth with a three-run homer off reliever Jake Bird.

Starling Marte's two-out RBI single in the seventh put New York in front, but Elias Díaz doubled leading off the bottom half against Jeff Brigham (0-1) and McMahon followed with a two-run shot to right field that traveled a projected 439 feet.

“I felt like I threw my best pitch in a decent spot and I thought McMahon put a good swing on it," Brigham said. "I’m not going to chalk it up to Coors Field. I’m just bummed that the guys fought back and got us a lead and I gave it right back.”

It was McMahon's second home run in two nights. He had gone the previous 27 games without a homer, tied for the third-longest drought of his career.

“After feeling like you haven’t been coming through for the team a lot lately, it’s indescribable coming through for the guys," McMahon said. "That feeling, it’s a really good feeling.”

Jurickson Profar added an RBI triple in the eighth, extending his MLB-best on-base streak to 34 games. He scored on Díaz's single to make it 10-7.

Justin Lawrence (2-2) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings and Pierce Johnson got three quick outs on six pitches for his 11th save as the teams played through rain late in the game.

“You keep playing, right?” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “You saw the Mets turn the tables on us and then we turned the tables back on them. That was a game a lot of us have seen here. You’ve just got to hang in there, which we did.”

The victory moved Black into a tie with Don Baylor for the second-most wins by a manager in franchise history.

Nolan Jones had two hits and two RBIs in his second game with Colorado since being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Alonso has homered in seven of his past 11 games. Álvarez also doubled and is batting .478 over his last seven games.

Four of the Mets’ runs were charged to Rockies reliever Brent Suter, who got only two outs after allowing just three earned runs in 31 innings prior to Saturday.

“After we took the lead, the emotions were high, super high,” Álvarez said. “Even when we went back down, the emotions and the momentum still felt high. We felt we could win the game. But it just turned out that we came up a little short.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: 1B C.J. Cron (back spasms) fielded grounders and has hit in the batting cage the past two days. He was placed on the 15-day injured list May 15. “He’s getting closer,” Black said. … RHP Nick Mears (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen and will throw again Monday in Arizona.

UP NEXT

Mets RHP Tylor Megill (5-3, 4.32 ERA) faces LHP Austin Gomber (4-4, 6.48) in the rubber match of the three-game series Sunday.

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Glad's own-goal helps Minnesota United in 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake

Photo: The Canadian Press

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota United didn't find the net, but an own-goal by Real Salt Lake's Justen Glad was the final score in a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Real Salt Lake (4-6-4) took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute when Jefferson Savarino took passes from Danny Musovski and Braian Ojeda and scored his fourth goal of the season.

Minnesota United (5-5-4) evened the score three minutes later thanks to Glad's own-goal.

Dayne St. Clair saved one shot for Minnesota United. Zac MacMatch had two saves for Real Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake was trying to win back-to-back road matches for the first time since 2019.

Thirteen of Minnesota United's 14 matches this season have been decided by one goal or ended in draws. The club was coming off back-to-back 1-0 victories with Bongokuhle Hlongwane scoring both winners.

RSL beat Minnesota United 3-0 in August of last season. Neither team has won two straight in a series that Minnesota United leads 5-3-6.

Real Salt Lake returns home to play the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday. Minnesota United travels to play Austin FC on Wednesday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

White's putback as time expires lifts Celtics past Heat, forces Game 7 in East finals

Photo: The Canadian Press

MIAMI (AP) — The Boston Celtics were a tenth of a second away from elimination. The Miami Heat were a tenth of a second from the NBA Finals.

Derrick White owned that final moment.

White scored on a putback as time expired and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of the greatest comeback in NBA playoffs history, holding off the Miami Heat 104-103 on Saturday night to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals.

“Derrick White, like a flash of lightning, just came out of nowhere and saved the day, man,” Boston's Jaylen Brown said. “An incredible play.”

White knew it was good. Referees reviewed it, but it didn't take long to give the official word.

Elation for Boston. Devastation for Miami.

“Ball came to me," White said. “I made the shot."

Perhaps Boston will call it The Shot.

White became the second player in NBA history to hit a buzzer-beater with his team trailing and facing elimination — Michael Jordan’s “The Shot” for Chicago against Cleveland in 1989 being the other.

“I was just happy," White said. “Season was on the line. We don't want to go home.”

Jayson Tatum scored 31 points, Brown scored 26 and Marcus Smart added 21 for the Celtics, who became only the fourth NBA team to erase a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series and force a deciding game. The others in that club — the 1951 New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, the 1994 Denver Nuggets in the second round and the 2003 Portland Trail Blazers in the first round — all lost Game 7, all on the road.

Boston, however, is going home for its shot at history. Game 7 is Monday night on the Celtics’ floor, a matchup that’ll decide who meets the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets in a title series that will start Thursday.

“It’s a seven-game series,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “There’s nothing better than Game 7s.”

Jimmy Butler made three free throws with 3.0 seconds left — the foul was originally called with 2.1 seconds left; referees put 0.9 seconds back on after reviewing the play to see if it was a 3-point try that Al Horford fouled him on — for a one-point Heat lead. It capped a Miami rally from 10 points down with less than 4 minutes remaining.

The Celtics had White inbound the ball on the game's final possession, and he passed to Smart — who missed a 3-pointer. But White sprinted from the inbound spot to the rim, the ball fell into his hands and he got the lay-in away just before time ran out to extend Boston's season.

There had been other buzzer-beaters from players whose teams were facing an elimination game, but before Saturday, only Jordan's came with his team trailing.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was asked what went through his mind at that moment.

“Nothing,” Mazzulla said. “Game 7.”

Butler scored 24 points and Caleb Martin had 21 for the Heat, who are trying to pull off their own improbable trek to the title series by being only the second No. 8 seed to make the NBA Finals. They’ve now lost as many games this week — three — as they had in their first 14 playoff games this spring combined on the way to ousting No. 1 Milwaukee, then No. 5 New York and taking what was supposed to be an insurmountable 3-0 lead over the second-seeded Celtics.

“We've got to go on the road and do something special,” Butler said. “But we've got a special group.”

The Celtics have now won five of their last six East finals games in Miami — a stretch that includes a Game 7 over the Heat last season to reach the NBA Finals.

That one, obviously, ended the Heat season. At least this time, Miami still has a chance.

“I don't know how we're going to get this done, but we're going to go out there and get it done,” Spoelstra said. “And that's what the next 48 hours is about. There's been nothing easy about this season for our group, and so we just have to do it the hard way.”

The Heat are the 151st team to grab a 3-0 series lead in a best-of-seven. All 150 of the previous clubs finished the job. But the Celtics have made very clear that they have other ideas, and Mazzulla listed a lot of reasons why.

“Faith. Love. Togetherness. Physicality. Belief. Hope.” Mazzulla said. “All those things combined. It starts with the locker room. Those guys had a choice to make and they chose to believe in each other.”

TIP-INS

Celtics: The Celtics are 5-0 when facing elimination this season, 3-0 on the road. They beat Philadelphia twice on their way to erasing a 3-2 lead in the East finals, and now have tied this series. … Malcolm Brogdon (right forearm strain) was downgraded to out about an hour before game time. ... White scored 11 for the Celtics, and Robert Williams III had 10.

Heat: Gabe Vincent scored 15, Duncan Robinson scored 13 and Bam Adebayo added 11 for Miami. ... Diddy was at the game, as was former Heat guard Goran Dragic and Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk. … Unless Miami wins Game 7 at Boston, it may have been the final home game of Heat forward Udonis Haslem’s 20-year career. The Heat are 613-297 in the 910 games in their home arena with Haslem on the roster; that doesn’t include the restart bubble’s home games in 2020.

GAME 7 HISTORY

The Celtics are 27-9 in Game 7s, winners of their last four — including one in Miami last season and one earlier this season, against Philadelphia in the East semifinals. They’re 1-1 against the Heat all-time in such games (losing the 2012 East finals deciding game in Miami), and 22-5 at home in Game 7.

The Heat are 6-5 all-time in Game 7s, losing their last two (home vs. Boston in 2022, at Toronto in 2016), and are 0-2 when facing such a game on the road. Besides the Raptors game seven years ago, they lost a Game 7 at Atlanta in 2009.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

St. Louis City rolls to 3-1 victory over visiting Whitecaps

Photo: The Canadian Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis City got an early goal from Eduard Löwen, a late goal from Miguel Perez and an own-goal from Tristan Blackmon in-between en route to a 3-1 Major League Soccer victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.

St. Louis City (8-4-1) grabbed the lead in the 10th minute on an unassisted goal by Löwen — his fourth tally this season.

Blackmon's own-goal came in the 45th minute, giving St. Louis City a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Vancouver (4-5-5) pulled within a goal when Brian White took a pass from Julian Gressel in the 83rd minute and scored for the fifth time this season.

Perez scored unassisted in the fourth minute of stoppage time for his first career goal. The 18-year-old midfielder found the net in his 11th appearance, including five starts.

Roman Bürki finished with one save for St. Louis City. Thomas Hasal saved five shots in his first start of the season for Vancouver.

The Whitecaps have lost their last two road matches against expansion teams after posting a 3-0-2 mark in their previous five road trips against first-year clubs.

St. Louis City has a league-high seven players with multiple goals this season. SLC was coming off a 4-0 road win over Sporting Kansas City — its third four-goal victory. Atlanta United set the record at four in its inaugural 2017 season.

The Whitecaps haven't picked up a win in 15 straight road matches — one more than the San Jose Earthquakes for the longest current skid. Fourteen of Vancouver's 17 points have come at home this season.

UP NEXT

Vancouver returns home to play the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday. St. Louis City will host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

Roughriders rally to tip visiting Lions 30-27 in CFL pre-season tilt

Leos drop preseason opener

Photo: The Canadian Press

REGINA — With Trevor Harris entrenched as the Saskatchewan Roughriders starting quarterback, Saturday’s 30-27 CFL pre-season victory over the B.C. Lions did little to separate the three pivots battling for the backup spot.

Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala and Shea Patterson combined to go 30 of 41 passing for 284 yards and three touchdowns as the Riders earned their first pre-season victory since June 14, 2014, when they defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 21-17.

The Riders trailed 20-9 in the third quarter and 27-17 in the fourth quarter before Fine connected with Mitchell Picton on two touchdown tosses to claim the victory.

Fine took over from Patterson in the fourth quarter and got off to a rough start. On his first pass attempt, B.C. linebacker Ryder Varga intercepted the effort and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown. Varga, a former University of Regina Ram, put the Lions up 27-17 with the touchdown.

Fine bounced back in the next series, capping a drive with a four-yard scoring pass to Picton. Kaare Vedvik missed the convert, with B.C. holding a 27-23 lead.

That set the stage for Fine’s second TD toss with 2:44 left in the game, giving the Riders their first lead since the second quarter.

Fine wasn’t pleased with the pick six but he wasn’t about to let the setback stop him from showing he belongs in the Saskatchewan quarterback conversation.

“It was the worst thing that possibly could’ve happened. I was done for a minute but I’ve got great teammates and coaches.

"They came over and picked me up and then it was a case of resetting, getting the mentality back and going out there and slamming the ball,” said Fine, who finished 8-of-10 passing for 110 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

“That’s what I’ve done in the past. I’m going to sling it and whatever happens, happens. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but it was great to finish like that.”

Fine could’ve played conservatively for the rest of the game after the interception but that’s just not his way.

“You have to stay confident in yourself. You have to trust in your teammates and that the coaches put you in the right situation. You don’t want to press to much because then you’ll make another mistake but you also don’t want to be timid and not taking the shots that you should be taking,” said Fine.

Fine also admitted that he focused on Picton on the second touchdown pass.

“On that last play, I was looking at Mitch. I trust Mitch. He’s going to be in the right position to make plays and he’s the smartest guy on the football field."

With Harris at his home in Marion, Ohio, for the birth of his third child — Tripp Harris was born Thursday — Dolegala got the start on Saturday. Playing all but the final series of the first half, Dolegala impressed with both his arm and his legs, completing 12 of 17 passes for 97 yards while scrambling for a couple of first downs.

He believes the victory demonstrated the determination and dedication of the Riders heading into the season.

“The coach (Craig Dickenson) told us it’s been nine years, that’s pretty wild. But we were nothing but excited. It was huge. I think our team is really close and it showed out there with our little celebration,” said Dolegala.

While Fine, Dolegala and Patterson understand that one of them is going to be released in the coming days, all three were obviously happy for each other following the victory.

“I’m their biggest fan. It was great to see both go out there and ball. We all had some struggles but we bounced back and that was awesome,” said Dolegala, who scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter.

“It’s definitely a battle,” added Patterson, who completed 10-of-14 passes for 77 yards and one touchdown. “It’s got to be tough, and it’s got to be exciting for pretty much every other coach. Whatever happens, well, we’re all going to have a home and a place to play.”

Neither team dressed its starting quarterback. Dominique Davis and Dane Evans alternated series for the Lions through the first three quarters as starter Vernon Adams Jr. had the night off. Judd Erickson took over with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter.

Evans was 13 of 16 passing for 162 yards and one TD while Davis was four of 10 for 77 yards and one interception.

Kendall Watson was Saskatchewan’s top receiver, catching six passes for 62 yards. Ayden Eberhart had a fantastic game for the Lions, grabbing six passes for 104 yards.

In addition to Harris sitting out, the Riders didn’t dress a number of veterans, including running backs Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson, receivers Jake Weineke, Derel Walker and Mario Alford, defensive linemen Anthony Lanier Jr. and Micah Johnson and linebacker Larry Dean.

Sitting out for the Lions were receivers Lucky Whitehead and Dominique Rhymes, defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, linebacker Bo Lokombo and defensive backs Garry Peters and Marcus Sayles.

UP NEXT

The Lions will host the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday, while the Riders will travel to Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2023.

Stars stay alive with 4-2 road victory over Golden Knights

Photo: The Canadian Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — With Dallas' season on the line, the Stars got two critical goals from a player who was a healthy scratch the first two games of the Western Conference final.

Ty Dellandrea's goals came within a 1:27 span midway through the third period, and the Stars beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the Stanley Cup final to face the Florida Panthers.

“He's one of the best guys I've ever played with,” said Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, who made 27 saves. “He deserves every opportunity he gets, and there's no one happier for him than the guys in this room.

"It shows how special you are when you get taken out. He didn't make it about him. He needed the opportunity to step up, and that's what he did.”

The Stars escaped elimination for the second straight game and head to Dallas for Game 6 on Monday night down 3-2. Dallas is attempting to become the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after being down 3-0.

And look who's back for the Stars? Captain Jamie Benn returns after a two-game suspension for his cross-check to the neck of Vegas captain Mark Stone in Game 3. That was the only game in this series that was decided early, and until Saturday the Stars hadn't even had a multigoal lead.

“I know our group, and we weren't happy about being in the hole we were in, and they decided to do something about it,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “And now we're rolling.”

The only problem for DeBoer was waiting two days to play Game 6.

“Drop the puck,” he said.

DeBoer said before the game if his team won, the pressure would shift to the Knights. Now it's up to them to respond after twice being a period away from playing in the Stanley Cup final and letting both opportunities slip away.

“I don't think we brought our best the last two games,” Stone said. “We were still in a good spot to win the game. We've got to bring a little bit better effort and start playing a little more desperate.”

Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said “it's a very good question” why his team didn't play with more desperation, but he also wasn't thrilled with the Knights' execution.

“We had 24 giveaways,” Cassidy said. “I'm not sure you're beating the Arizona Coyotes in January with 24 giveaways. That's no disrespect to Arizona, but it's not the right way to play.”

Dellandrea found the right way to play and put together the first multigoal playoff game of his career. Jason Robertson and Luke Glendening also scored, and Thomas Harley had two assists.

Chandler Stephenson and Ivan Barbashev scored for the Knights, and Jonathan Marchessault had two assists to extend his points streak to four games. Adin Hill made 30 saves.

Dellandrea scored from the right circle to put Dallas ahead, the puck deflecting off Vegas defenceman Alex Pietrangelo with 9:25 left for a 3-2 lead. Then, Dellandrea scored from the slot with 7:58 remaining.

Dellandrea said the older players kept him motivated when he was temporarily sidelined.

“There's no denying it's hard,” he said. “I'm thankful for a good group of character guys, and you've just got to stay ready.”

The teams traded goals in the first two periods.

Jack Eichel battled two Stars players for the puck in Vegas' offensive zone, and then Barbashev swooped in and made a fantastic move to glide past Oettinger and score with 6:24 left in the first period. The Stars wasted little time in answering when Glendening scored on a deflection less than two minutes later.

Dallas was robbed of what looked like a sure goal when Hill snagged a point-blank shot from Roope Hintz, who then threw his back in disbelief.

Like in the first period, the Knights had a goal in the second quickly answered by one from the Stars. Stephenson scored from the left circle at 16:40 of the period, and Robertson knocked his own rebounds 2:09 later to make it 2-2. Stephenson tied the Knights' record with his eight playoff goal this year, and Robertson had his fifth of the series.

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AP NHL Playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Donovan scores on passed ball in 10th, Cardinals beat Guardians 2-1

Photo: The Canadian Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — Brendan Donovan scored on a passed ball in the 10th inning after homering in the second, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals — who had just two hits — to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night.

Donovan began the 10th on second as the automatic runner, stole third base and came home when third-string catcher David Fry mishandled a pitch by Nick Sandlin (2-2) to Oscar Mercado.

“Nick made a good pitch, threw a sinker, and I thought I had my glove right there on the dirt,” said Fry, who entered in the eighth after starter Cam Gallagher was lifted for a pinch-hitter. “Unfortunately, it went right under my glove to the backstop.”

St. Louis won for the 14th time in its last 20 games despite managing only two hits against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee and four relievers. The Cardinals didn't get a hit after Alec Burleson singled in the third.

It was only the third time Cleveland lost while allowing two or fewer hits in an extra-inning game. The others were in 1901 and 1977.

Ryan Helsley (3-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win and Giovanny Gallegos earned his sixth save with a scoreless 10th. Jack Flaherty matched his longest start of the year with seven innings of one-run ball, striking out four.

Donovan homered to right in the second to put St. Louis ahead 1-0. It was his second home run in four games and the Cardinals’ 41st of the month, four shy of their May franchise record set in 2000.

“You can put Brendan anywhere on the field and he’s going to make plays,” right-hander Flaherty said. “What he did in the 10th inning, he’s special. I love that the guy is on my team. It doesn’t matter what situation you put him in, he’s ready to go at all times.”

The Guardians tied it in the third when Steven Kwan walked, advanced on a wild pitch and came home on a single by José Ramírez. Amed Rosario doubled twice and Josh Naylor and Ramírez had two singles apiece.

Defending AL Central champion Cleveland is 4-4 in extra-inning games, matching Toronto for the most in the majors, and is 13-23 overall since April 16. The Guardians played their league-leading 24th one-run contest, losing for the 15th time.

“When you score one run, I’m not sure I want to sit up here and flex our muscles, but we’re always looking for a reason to be positive,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “But there are things that we did tonight, like allowing a stolen base, when we can’t.”

Bibee went six innings in his sixth big league start, allowing one run on two hits while striking out a season-high nine. The right-hander was victorious in his April 26 debut against Colorado, but is winless with one loss since.

“Obviously, it’s a dream to play in the major leagues, so it’s been good,” Bibee said.

St. Louis loaded the bases in the seventh when James Karinchak entered and walked Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Donovan. Sam Hentges replaced Karinchak and retired the next three batters to keep the game deadlocked.

Cleveland failed to score in the eighth after Ramírez singled and Naylor walked with no outs, but relievers Andre Pallante and Helsley escaped unscathed.

“They’re going to put the ball in play, that’s the type of team Cleveland is, but our defense played well and we made some key pitches,” Flaherty said.

Cardinals designated hitter Nolan Gorman went 0 for 4, ending his on-base streak at 17 games.

The paid attendance of 32,224 was the second largest of the season in Cleveland, trailing the opening day crowd of 34,821 against Seattle on April 7.

CHANGE OF PLANS

Cardinals LHP Steven Matz, who is 0-6 with a 5.72 ERA through 10 starts, will work out of the bullpen until at least next weekend. Matz allowed six runs and a season-high 11 hits over four innings Wednesday at Cincinnati.

“It’s been a grind for me this year,” he acknowledged. “I love starting and I love the routine, but I’ll do whatever I can to help the team. But I want to start.”

Matz has only made 10 relief appearances in his nine-year career, starting 156 games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: OF Tyler O’Neill (lower back strain) has been shut down from baseball activities for the second time since being placed on the injured list on May 5. O’Neill had been expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment late this month.

Guardians: RHP Triston McKenzie (right upper back strain) will make what could be his final rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Columbus at Iowa. McKenzie has not appeared in a major league game since Oct. 15, 2022 against the Yankees.

UP NEXT

Cardinals LHP Jordan Montgomery (2-6, 4.55 ERA) faces Guardians RHP Hunter Gaddis (1-1, 5.26 ERA) in the three-game series finale.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

McGuire's safety squeeze with bases loaded lifts Red Sox over Diamondbacks 2-1

Photo: The Canadian Press

PHOENIX (AP) — The Boston Red Sox pulled out a win on Saturday thanks to a little unorthodox baseball strategy.

Manager Alex Cora enjoyed it, even if he couldn't take credit for it.

Reese McGuire's safety squeeze with the bases loaded brought home Triston Casas, which proved to be the difference as the Red Sox beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1.

“You're going to have to ask Reese — ballplayers making plays," Cora said. “Sometimes they don't feel right, they feel like that's the only way they can drive them in, and they do.”

Boston has won the first two games of the series and will go for a three-game sweep on Sunday.

Kiké Hernández had an RBI single for the Red Sox in the fourth, and their small-ball strategy later in the inning took just about everyone by surprise — including Cora. Batting ninth in the lineup, McGuire came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, but instead of trying for a big swing that might break the game open, the catcher dropped a nifty sacrifice bunt down the first-base line.

The only play for Diamondbacks lefty Kyle Nelson was to get McGuire at first, with Casas scoring easily for a 2-1 lead.

McGuire said after he fell into an 0-1 hole, he felt his best chance to get a run home was bunting.

“I feel if I can get it down, it's a tough play for the pitcher, especially being left-handed, going to his left and then having to throw across his body,” McGuire said. “It was a good situation.”

Arizona jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on Ketel Marte’s homer down the right-field line. It was his seventh of the season.

Both teams were using a starting pitcher who just came off the injured list. Diamondbacks right-hander Zach Davies (0-1) hadn't appeared in a big league game since April 8 and looked rusty, lasting just 3 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three.

Boston's Garrett Whitlock (2-2) had been out since April 22. The right-hander fared better than his counterpart, allowing one run and two hits over five innings.

“Garrett was good — changing speeds,” Cora said. “Some swing-and-miss stuff. His cutter was magnificent.”

The Red Sox bullpen was stellar behind Whitlock, throwing four scoreless innings between Kutter Crawford, Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, who earned his 11th save this season and No. 402 of his career.

The Diamondbacks had just three hits — one after the first inning. Red Sox pitchers didn't allow a walk, retiring 25 of their final 26 batters.

“Couldn't get anything going offensively,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “It looked like it was going to be a good day at the plate when Ketel hits a solo home run. You feel you're going to bunch together some hits, some runs, and end up running out and winning the ballgame. But their starting pitcher went on lockdown.”

CRAWFORD'S BIG PLAY

Crawford was taken out of the game after he made a great defensive play in the eighth.

D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno hit a hard grounder back up the middle that hit Crawford's right ankle and bounced toward the first-base line. Crawford hustled to the ball, picking it up while avoiding Moreno, who was sprinting toward the bag.

Crawford managed to grab the ball and flipped it to Casas at first base for the out.

Crawford was shaken up after the play and after a few warmup pitches, Cora decided to bring in Martin. The Red Sox announced Crawford left with a bruised right ankle, but Cora said postgame that the pitcher shouldn't miss any additional time.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers (calf) was out of the lineup for a second straight game. ... Whitlock was added to the roster from the injured list, and LHP Brennan Bernardino was sent to Triple-A.

Diamondbacks: Davies and RHP Drey Jameson were added to the roster, while RHPs Brandon Pfaadt and Luis Frías were demoted to Triple-A.

UP NEXT

The teams wrap up their three-game set on Sunday. The D-backs send RHP Merrill Kelly (5-3, 2.98 ERA) to the mound against RHP Tanner Houck (3-3, 4.99).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports