THURSDAY SPORTS PAGE: RATTLERS DO IT AGAIN

Justin Wright-Foreman once again led the Saskatchewan Rattlers with his 22 points as the squad picked up their second consecutive win in a 103-82 victory over the Vancouver Bandits on Wednesday night in the CEBL. The league’s points per game leader, averaging nearly 30 points, finished with a stat line of 22 points and four rebounds, on over 50 per cent shooting from the field and distance. He also drew nine fouls and went a perfect 9-9 from the line, including the game-winning free throw.
 
The Rattlers have the opportunity to gain even more ground in the West as they return to action on Saturday to take on the second-seeded Calgary Surge, who sit just one game ahead of them in the standings. Meanwhile the Bandits head back to Langley Events Centre where they’ll hope to snap their losing skid as they play host to the Western Conference leading Winnipeg Sea Bears on Sunday.

The Toronto Blue Jays are back in action Thursday afternoon to take on the San Diego Padres. The Jays fell 2-0 to the Padres Wednesday night after struggling to generate scoring plays. Chris Bassitt (9-5) will get the start as Toronto finishes its interleague series.

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The Edmonton Elks take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, looking to turn their season around. The Elks have not won a single game all season. The Elks had not started a season 0-6 since their inaugural campaign in 1938. They finished that season 0-8.

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English soccer club Arsenal F-C routed a team of Major League Soccer all-stars on Wednesday night. Arsenal was led by forward Bukayo Saka, who was named the 2023 MLS All-Star Game MVP. It was MLS’s first loss in an All-Star Game since 2019.

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The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off today in New Zealand and Australia. The tournament is the largest Women’s World Cup ever. Canada’s first match is against Nigeria at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia.

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The New York Yankees aired their frustrations on Wednesday night in a 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Carlos Rodon sarcastically blew a kiss to the dugout while Tommy Kahnle took out his frustrations on a cooling fan. The Yankees have dropped four straight and nine of their last 11.

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Deion Sanders will miss Friday’s Pac-12 media day due to a procedure to remove a blood clot from his right leg and another to straighten toes on his left foot. The pro football hall of famer and first-year University of Colorado coach will have the surgery later today. He’s expected to be recovered and back coaching in time for fall camp.

(Cell Communications, Canadian Press)