National Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kyle Lowry was ruled out of the Toronto Raptors' game Wednesday at Oklahoma City because of a sprained right ankle.

Toronto FC has loaned forward Jon Bakero to Phoenix Rising FC of the USL Championship. The 22-year-old Bakero is the third TFC player to go out on loan in recent days.

TOKYO — Ichiro drew all the cheers. Most everyone else on the Seattle Mariners did all the hitting.

Tokyo Olympics organizers have unveiled their torch for next year's games, playing off the image of Japan's famous cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom is Japan's most-loved flower.

DURHAM, N.C. — Canadian basketball star R.J. Barrett has been named the National Player of the Year by USA Today. The 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., leads the ACC in scoring with an average of 22.

SAITAMA, Japan — Canada’s Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro are fifth after the pairs short program on Wednesday at the world figure skating championships. Moore-Towers, of St. Catharines, Ont., and Marinaro, of Sarnia, Ont., notched 73.

Tuesday's Games NHL Montreal 3 Philadelphia 1 Nashville 3 Toronto 0 St. Louis 7 Edmonton 2 Calgary 4 Columbus 2 Carolina 3 Pittsburgh 2 (SO) Detroit 3 N.Y. Rangers 2 Boston 5 N.Y.

Tuesday's Games NHL Montreal 3 Philadelphia 1 Nashville 3 Toronto 0 St. Louis 7 Edmonton 2 Calgary 4 Columbus 2 Carolina 3 Pittsburgh 2 (SO) Detroit 3 N.Y. Rangers 2 Boston 5 N.Y.

CALGARY — Every remaining game both a dress rehearsal for the playoffs and an opportunity to strengthen their post-season position, the Calgary Flames weathered a desperate Columbus Blue Jackets for a 4-2 win Tuesday.

ST. LOUIS — Goals have been hard to come by this season for St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz. That all changed Tuesday night against Edmonton.