National Sports

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps brought in some Canadian star power with two national team players joining the club as it looks to hold its spot in the Major League Soccer playoff picture.

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Hinako Shibuno shot an 8-under 64 to take the first-round lead at the Women's Scottish Open on Thursday. The Japanese major champion's bogey-free round put her two shots ahead of Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden at Dundonald Links.

TORONTO — Kevin Gausman is at a loss to explain why the Baltimore Orioles and other American League East teams are thriving against the Toronto Blue Jays.

EDMONTON — Jeff Jackson once represented Edmonton Oilers star forward Connor McDavid and defenceman Evan Bouchard as their agent. Now Jackson is the new CEO of hockey operations for the NHL team.

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders have a mountain to climb in August starting with Friday's home game against the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.

OTTAWA — Decathlete Pierce LePage, hammer thrower Camryn Rogers and sprinters Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake and Brendon Rodney headline the Canadian team for the upcoming world athletics championships.

SYDNEY (AP) — In a wild finale to the group stage of the Women's World Cup , two-time champion Germany was eliminated on Thursday and the second lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Morocco, advanced to the knockout stage.

TORONTO — After winning their respective prep races, stablemates Elysian Field and Paramount Prince will square off in the $1-million King's Plate.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is promising up to $1 million to support a bid by the Winnipeg Sea Bears to host the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship in 2025.

TORONTO — Trevor Richards is resting before the Toronto Blue Jays begin their final post-season push. The reliable middle-innings reliever was put on Toronto's 15-day injured list with neck inflammation on Thursday.