Sports Roundup: Tigers lose to Yankees; Game 4 today

Tigers

A late inning rally ruined a strong performance by Justin Verlander as the Detroit Tigers fell to the Yankees 5-1 last night in New York. Verlander was charged with the loss, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out five in seven innings of work. Reliever Blaine Hardy followed Verlander and gave up three runs, two earned, in two thirds of an inning.  Miguel Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to plate the only run forDetroit in the first inning. In this afternoon's series finale, Rick Porcello will get the start for the Tigers while the Yankees counter with Shane Greene.

Tiger Injuries
Tigers shortstop Eugenio Suarez and outfielder Torii Hunter are both listed as day-to-day with injuries.  Suarez injured his knee while stealing second base in the series opener with the Yankees, while Hunter left Tuesday's game with New York with a left hand contusion after he was hit with a pitch.  Suarez may return to the field in today's series finale and manager Brad Ausmus said Hunter's hand is swollen and he won't be back in the lineup until the inflammation goes down.

NABF Regional

The BC Merchants play today inSaginawin the NABF Stan Musial regional.  The Merchants hope to win inSaginawto join host team HBC Behnke at the NABF World Series next week inBattle Creek.

Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers lost in Wisconsin Rapidslast night to go 2-2 on the road trip.  The Bombers have two more home games, tonight and tomorrow, against the Green Bay Bullfrogs.

Lions

The Detroit Lions were back in the Motor City for their second public practice of training camp Wednesday night. The team visited Wayne State University last week.
Wide receiver Jon Baldwin was only with the Lions for a couple of days before he was released by the team because of a failed physical.  Cornerback Darius Slay switched numbers today from 30 to 23.

Prized first-round draft pick Eric Ebron is day to day with an undisclosed injury and his status for Saturday's preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns is unknown.
"He has an injury," coach Jim Caldwell said after a practice Wednesday night at Ford Foeld. "We'll keep him out for a couple days and see how he does.
Ebron hadn't missed a practice through rookie minicamp, OTAs, minicamp and the first eight days of training camp. He practiced Tuesday, but showed up at Ford Field on Wednesday donning a baseball cap and shorts.

If you were hoping to attend the Lions preseason game against the Browns on Saturday, good luck getting a ticket. The team announced Wednesday evening that the game is sold out.  Kick off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will start his first NFL game on the bench. Browns head coach Mike Pettine tells reporters Former Spartan QB Brian Hoyer will start the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.  Manziel may still get some reps with the first-team offense, and Pettine left open the possibility of "Johnny Football" starting at some point in the preseason.  Last week, the first-year head coach said he wants to name a regular-season starter by the third preseason game.

Golf
The final major of the golf season begins today with first-round play at the PGA Championship. This year's event takes place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Former world number-one Tiger Woods will tee it up after declaring himself pain-free during a practice round on Wednesday.  Woods withdrew from the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday with back spasms. The four-time PGA Championship winner is slated to tee off at 8:35 a.m. Eastern with Phil Mickelson and Paddy Harrington in his group.  World number-one Rory McIlroy is coming off a win last week inAkron,Ohio and also won the British Open last month for his third major title. Jason Dufner is the defending champion.

New Commish Coming
Major League Baseball could name its successor to commissioner Bud Selig, who is retiring in January, by next week. Selig confirmed several reports that the three finalists are Rob Manfred, MLB's chief operating officer; Tim Brosnan, MLB's executive vice president for business and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.

Michigan freshman injured

Michigancoach John Beilein says freshman forward D.J.Wilsonwill miss four to six weeks after surgery on his right pinky. Beilein says he anticipates a speedy recovery.Wilsonis expected back at 100 percent by the time September workouts start.

Joe Louis Arena Agreement

Federal officials have reached a deal with Olympia Entertainment to improve access for people with disabilities at Joe Louis Arena.  It resolves a complaint filed by a patron with a disability who couldn't attend Red Wing games at Joe Louis Arena. It requires Olympia Entertainment to provide 45 wheelchair accessible seats, and improve accessibility in restrooms and at concession stands.  TheU.S.attorney's office says the settlement also includes full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at a planned 18,000-seat hockey arena and entertainment complex near downtown. The NHL's Red Wings are expected to move to the new stadium in 2017.
Hockey Hall-Rafalski

Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski has been named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2014.