Sports Roundup: J.D. the Hero with 3-run blast in 9th

Tigers 

J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer off closer Cody Allen in the ninth inning, helping the Detroit Tigers rally for a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. Martinez's one-out shot over the center-field wall bailed out the Tigers, who had been unable to get a clutch hit for eight innings. But in the ninth, Torii Hunter drew a leadoff walk from Allen, Miguel Cabrera singled, and after Victor Martinez flied out, J.D. Martinez connected for his 19th homer, a crushing blow to the Indians. Starter Kyle Lobstein got the no-decision giving up two runs on five hits while striking out ten in five and one third innings.  His only mistake was a 2-run homer in the first. The Tigers had their struggles against Indians starter Carlos Carrasco, who walked in one run but struck out 10. Phil Coke pitched 1 1-3 innings and Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 29th save.

Game three is tonight inCleveland   Justin Verlander starts for the Tigers.   6:40 is broadcast time on WBCK.

Verlander Pics

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander says he wants to keep his personal life private after nude photos of him and model girlfriend Kate Upton allegedly were hacked from an online account. Verlander spoke to reporters Tuesday beforeDetroitplayed the Indians. Verlander initially refused to comment Monday after the FBI acknowledged that photos of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and other celebrities were stolen and posted online.  Verlander knew there was interest in his side of the story and wanted to address the situation. He doesn't want any focus taken from the Tigers, who are in the thick of the playoff race.  Verlander says he's always had to block out distractions during his career. The former AL MVP is scheduled to pitch Wednesday.  The 31-year-old did not comment specifically on the photos.

Soria on the Mend

Joakim Soria took a major step in the rehabilitation process Tuesday. Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Soria threw without pain Tuesday for the first time since he suffered the left oblique injury that has had him on the disabled list since Aug. 10. The Tigers obtained Soria in a July trade with the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitchers Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel. Soria has allowed five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings pitched in six outings for the Tigers before going on the disabled list.

Ausmus said Monday that Anibal Sanchez will not throw until he is entirely free of pain. Sanchez has been on the disabled list since Aug. 9 due to a right pectoral strain.

FIBA World Cup

TheU.S.national team rolled along at the World Cup beating New Zealand 98-71. Anthony Davis led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds to help the Americans improve to 3-0 in pool play. Kenneth Faried (fehr-EED') chipped in with 15 points and 11 boards. Next up for the Americans is theDominican RepublicWednesday, before they close group play Thursday againstUkraine.

Tennis

The U.S. Open men's quarterfinals are set following wins by second seed Roger Federer, sixth seed Thomas Berdych Frenchman Gael Monfils and Croatia's Marin Cilic.

China's Peng Shuai has reached the U.S. Open women's semifinals by downing Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-1. This is the first time in 37 tries that Peng has reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam event. She next faces 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki who followed up her victory over Maria Sharapova with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of No. 13 Sara Errani.

Golf

The rosters have been completed for the upcoming Ryder Cup to be held at Gleneagles in Scotland later this month.  U.S. captain Tom Watson has added Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson to his squad. That means no Ryder Cup appearance for Chris Kirk, who finished ahead of Simpson in the Ryder Cup standings and won the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday. European captain Paul McGinley has picked veterans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, along with first-timer Stephen Gallacher as his wild-card selections. That left former No. 1 Luke Donald off the team after he was on the winning side in each of his four Ryder Cup appearances.

ALT

United States captain Tom Watson is sticking with veterans for the Ryder Cup team.  Watson has named Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson to the squad. Bradley and Simpson each played in the 2012 Ryder Cup and also were on last year's Presidents Cup team.  Mahan was on the 2008 and 2010 Ryder Cup teams. Those three players join Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar , Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson who all qualified.  Brandt Snedeker and current FedExCup playoff points leader Chris Kirk were left off the team. The Ryder Cup begins September 23rd in Perthshire, Scotland.

Welker Suspended

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker has been slapped with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. ESPN reported the violation had to do with amphetamines, and NFL Media reported Welker was notified Tuesday he had lost his appeal, which was heard two weeks ago.

Lions

Detroit hosts the New York Giants in the season opener Monday night at Ford Field.  The Detroit Lions have placed rookie linebacker Kyle Van Noy on the short-term injured reserve list.  Van Noy had core muscle surgery last week after he was injured before Detroit's third preseason game against Jacksonville.  The designation means the linebacker will not be able to return to practice for six weeks and will be eligible to be activated after Week Eight.  The team has signed veteran defensive end/linebacker Darryl Tapp, who was cut on Saturday, to take Van Noy's place on the roster.

Battle Creek Coyotes in 2^nd Round Saturday

Battle Creek Coyotes play round two of the playoffs Saturday as they head to atDetroitFordsonHigh Schoolto play the Michigan Lightning.   The Lightning (8-2) had a first-round bye during the Wildcard Round and had their  first loss of the season at to Battle Creek, 34-21 back in June.

Athlete of the Week

WBCK would like to congratulate Skyler Sobeski a senior fromBronsonHigh School, our Meijer Athlete of the Week!  Skyler was nominated by her volleyball coach, Jean LaClair.  She led the Bronson Volleyball team to two  tournament championships this past week: The  Pennfield Invite on Aug. 26th and the Pinconning Invite on Aug. 28th. Skyler has been all-state in both volleyball and softball for Bronson.   WBCK will be sending Skyler Sobeski a plaque from Recognition Inc, honoring her at our Meijer Athlete of the Week.    Go on line at wbckfm.com to nominate your Athlete of the week.   We’ll announce another winner next Wednesday.