Big hits are already piling up in opening round of Stanley Cup playoffs

DENVER (AP) – The big hits always roll out this time of year. It’s just part of playoff hockey, especially in the tone-setting first round.

Dodgers Edwin Díaz will have elbow surgery and expected to miss 3 months

DENVER (AP) – Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow and is expected to miss about three months, the team announced Monday.

Blue Jays bus from Phoenix to Southern California after their charter plane is grounded

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – A mechanical issue with their charter plane forced the Toronto Blue Jays to bus from Phoenix to Southern California on Sunday night, a six-hour drive on a dark desert highway that got the team to its Orange County hotel at around 12:30 a.m.

Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. hit by pitches twice vs. Nationals and leaves game

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ronald Acuña Jr. left the Atlanta Braves’ game against Washington in the sixth inning after Nationals starter Jake Irvin hit him with a pitch for a second time Monday night.

Isaac Paredes powers slumping Astros to 9-2 victory over Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP) – Isaac Paredes hit his first two home runs of the season and Christian Walker also went deep as the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 9-2 on Monday night for just their third victory in 15 games.

Rea and Swanson help the Cubs beat the slumping Phillies 5-1

CHICAGO (AP) – Colin Rea pitched into the seventh inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 on Monday night for their sixth consecutive win.

Timberwolves should 'start flopping' after free-throw disparity vs. Nuggets

DENVER (AP) – Timberwolves coach Chris Finch hasn’t gotten over the free-throw disparity in his team’s series-opening loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Flyers top Penguins 3-0 to take commanding 2-0 lead

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Dan Vladar stopped 27 shots, rookie Porter Martone scored for the second straight game and the Philadelphia Flyers shut out Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series.

Hawks stun the Knicks 107-106 to tie their series at 1-1

NEW YORK (AP) – CJ McCollum scored 32 points and the Atlanta Hawks rallied to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, tying their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.