>>Celtics Take 3-2 Series Lead On Cavaliers
(Boston, MA) — The home team is still unbeaten in the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals. Jayson Tatum scored 24 points as the Celtics knocked off the Cavaliers 96-83 in Game Five at TD Garden. Boston improved to 10-and-0 at home this postseason. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven matchup 3-2. The series returns to Cleveland for Game Six tomorrow.
>>Capitals Blank Bolts To Advance To Stanley Cup Final
(Tampa, FL) — The Capitals are headed to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1998. Braden Holtby made 29 saves as the Caps blanked the Lightning 4-0 in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Final in Tampa. Andre Burakovsky scored twice for Washington, which will face the expansion Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final starting Monday.
>>Rangers Hire Boston U’s Quinn As Head Coach
(New York, NY) — The New York Rangers are dipping into the college ranks for their next leader. They have named Boston University’s David Quinn the 35th head coach in franchise history. He’ll be formally introduced today. Quinn replaces Alain Vigneault [[ VEEN-yoh ]], who was fired after the Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
>>Cardinals Drop I-70 Series Finale To Royals
(St. Louis, MO) — Bud Norris gave up three runs in the top of the 10th inning as the Cardinals lost 5-2 to the Royals in the finale of their I-70 Series at Busch Stadium. Drew Butera’s bases-loaded single broke the tie for KC, which took two-of-three. Francisco Pena had two of the Cardinals’ six hits in defeat, including an RBI double.
>>Cubs Blanked By Indians
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs were no-hit into the seventh inning by Adam Plutko as they lost 1-0 to the Indians at Wrigley Field. Anthony Rizzo broke up the bid with a leadoff double in the seventh. Jon Lester took the tough-luck loss. The Cubs are 25-and-21, four games back in the NL Central. They host the Giants starting tomorrow.
>>White Sox Pound Orioles
(Chicago, IL) — Dylan Covey earned his first major league win as the White Sox hammered the Orioles 11-1 at Guaranteed Rate Field. Covey improved to 1-and-1, striking out eight over seven innings of one-run ball. Yoan Moncada, Adam Engel and Jose Rondon all homered for Chicago. Engel finished 4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored.
>>Report: White Sox’s Castillo Suspended For PEDs
(Chicago, IL) — White Sox catcher Welington Castillo is going to miss about half of the season. According to multiple outlets, Castillo has been suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal tweeted the banned substance was not a steroid. The official announcement is expected today.
>>NFL Bans Kneeling During National Anthem
(Atlanta, GA) — The NFL is banning kneeling during the national anthem. The league says all players and team personnel must stand for the anthem or remain in the locker room. Teams will be fined for anyone who doesn’t comply, and the team can then decide whether to fine the individual. The Players Association says it was not consulted about the policy.
>>Gordon Headlines 2019 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class
(Charlotte, NC) — Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon headlines the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. Gordon is the highest vote-getter ever after receiving 96-percent from the voters. He’s third in Cup history with 93 wins. Gordon is joined in the five-man class by drivers Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison, and owners Jack Roush and Roger Penske.