Sports: Tigers Blast Cubs 15-8

Tigers

The Tigers beat the Cubs 15-8 for a 2-game sweep at Wrigley Field.  The Tigers hit 5 home runs and had a total of 21 hits.   Nick Castellanos had a big night, going 4 for 5 with two home runs, including a grand slam, as the Tigers built a 7-0 lead.  Daniel Norris started for Detroit and pitched 4 1/3 innings before leaving the game with a strained oblique muscle in his right side.  Norris gave up three runs, and also got his first major league hit, a two-run homer in the second.  The Tigers would add two more long balls in the late innings, by Rajai Davis and J.D. Martinez who hit his 32^nd of the season.  The Tigers remain 4 ½ out of a wild card playoff spot, trailing the Angels, Orioles, Rangers, Twins and Rays.  Alfredo Simon starts against the Texas Rangers tonight at Comerica Park.   Broadcast time is 6:40 on WBCK.

Lions

The Detroit Lions are on the road for their second preseason game tonight against the Washington Redskins. Kick off is 7:30 p.m.  Detroit opened the exhibition schedule with a 23-3 win over the New York Jets last week at Ford Field. The Lions will travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars next week and then host the Buffalo Bills September 3rd to wrap up the preseason.

Deflategate

A federal judge made clear the NFL's four game suspension of former Wolverine Tom Brady over 'Deflategate' is in jeopardy as the star New England quarterback returned to practice.   U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman, who's been asked by the NFL Players Association to void the suspension, warned a league lawyer during oral arguments in the scandal over underinflated footballs that there was precedent for judges to toss out penalties issued by arbitrators.   Berman continued to push for a settlement in the dispute - a potential result he called 'rational and logical.' But throughout the hearing, he also cited several weaknesses in the way the NFL handled the controversy that could become the basis for handing a victory to Brady and his union.

Michigan Football

The Big ten Network was in Ann Arbor for their annual tour, but Coach Jim Harbaugh wouldn’t talk to them.   It's all part of Harbaugh's fall camp approach.  No media members have been allowed to speak with a Michigan player or coach since camp opened Aug. 7.

MSU Football

A big question for Michigan State is the running back position. The trio of running backs, which includes sophomore Gerald Holmes, redshirt freshman Madre London and true freshman LJ Scott are competing to carry the ball for the Spartans. Dantonio said any one of them still has the ability to surge ahead in the competition.

No Standing Room for WMU/MSU Game

There won’t be any standing room tickets for the WMU-MSU game on September 4^th. Citing accessibility issues and safety concerns from the fire marshal, Western Michigan University will not be selling standing room only tickets for the grassy hill areas at Waldo Stadium for the game. WMU still has some tickets available for the game, but they are only available through season ticket packages.