National Sports

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics will retire Paul Pierce's No. 34 during their Feb. 11 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The longtime Celtics forward will be the 22nd player so honoured — the first since 2003.

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts have their offensive leader back. Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray will start Saturday afternoon when Toronto (3-5) hosts the Montreal Alouettes (3-4).

VANCOUVER — Carl Robinson raised his arm above his head to make a point while addressing the Vancouver Whitecaps in the middle of their training pitch this week.

MONTREAL — Riding a three-game winning streak, the Montreal Impact are within striking distance of a playoff position for the first time this season.

MOSCOW — After almost two years under suspension, the Russian anti-doping agency wants to show it's capable of cleaning up a tainted sports scene.

WINNIPEG — Andrew Harris accomplished something he had never done before in his professional career on Thursday.

SOUTH WILLAMSPORT, Pa. — Chase Marshall had a pair of home runs and five RBIs as Canada opened the 71st edition of the Little League World Series with a 12-2 rout of Europe-Africa on Thursday.

TORONTO — Cool Catomine will make his turf debut from the far outside in the $400,000 Breeders' Stakes. The Prince of Wales Stakes winner drew the No. 10 post Thursday for the 1 1/2-mile race.

TORONTO — Justin Smoak blasted a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps wanted to bring Aly Ghazal to Major League Soccer over the winter before he eventually settled on a move to China.