Sports: Tigers Lose 3-1; Bombers win to advance

The Tigers lost a 3-1 game with Kansas City last night at Comerica Park.  Daniel Norris started for Detroit, and gave up two runs, one earned, over 5 1/3 innings. But the Royals’ Ian Kennedy was tough on the Tiger hitters, allowing just a solo homer by J.D. Martinez in the 7^th.  Miguel Cabrera left the game in the 4^th with a left biceps strain, and is considered day to day. Cabrera collided with Kansas City's Cheslor Cuthbert in the first inning as pitcher Daniel Norris threw wildly to first base. Jarrod Saltalamacchia replaced Cabrera at first. The Royals scored the eventual game winner on a squeeze bunt in the sixth.  The Tigers are already without Nick Castellanos, Jose Iglesias, Cameron Maybin, Jordan Zimmerman and Mike Pelfrey, and reliever Justin Wilson hasn’t pitched since getting cortisone shot last week for a left elbow issue. The Tigers stay 5 behind Cleveland in the Central division, but are now, and 2 ½ games out of Wild Card contention.  Justin Verlander starts for the Tigers tonight.  Broadcast time is 6:45 on WBCK.  The Red Sox come in for four games starting Thursday afternoon.

Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers beat the Madison Mallards, 9-8 to move on in the Northwoods League South Division playoffs.  Josh Stowers second inning home run gave the Mallards' a 2-0 lead but the Bombers would come right back in the top of the third when Dean Miller hit a three-run homer to give the Bombers' a 4-2 lead. But Stowers hit a three run homer to give the Mallards' a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the inning.  The Bombers came back in the next inning to take a 6-5 lead.  Storm Joop launched a two-run home run to give Battle Creek an 8-5 lead in the fifth.  They added an unearned run in the sixth and then hung on for the 9-8 win.  Sency picks up the win in relief for the Bombers' as he shut down the Mallards, allowing just two runs over 6.0 innings pitched while striking out 7, while Jonathan Cheshire picks up the save for the Bombers.  With the win, the Bombers will travel to Wisconsin Rapids to take on the Rafters in the South Division Final at Witter Field tonight at 8:05. The Rafters defeated the Chinooks, 19-3 Monday night at Witter Field to advance.

Olympics

Simone Biles' bid to become the first female gymnast to win five gold medals at a single Olympics ended yesterday in Rio. The American had to settle for bronze in the balance beam following a flawed performance, wobbling during the middle of her routine and landing awkwardly while completing a front somersault. U.S. teammate Laurie Hernandez claimed the silver medal.

Shaunae Miller of Bahamas dove to the finish line to win the women's 400-meter final, preventing American Allyson Felix from capturing a fifth Olympic gold medal. Miller finished in 49.44, just seven-hundredths of a second ahead of Felix. Colorado's Emma Coburn took bronze in the women's 3000 steeplechase, becoming the first American woman to medal in the event.

The U.S. women’s basketball team will begin their knockout stage today, facing Japan in a quarterfinal after cruising through the pool play in Rio, winning five games by an average of 40.8 points.  The American women have won 46 consecutive games in the Olympics and are three victories away from a sixth consecutive gold medal.  The Japanese women did beat the U.S. team once — but that took place back in 1976.

Lions

The Detroit Lions have signed free agent tight end Andrew Quarless, even though Quarless will face a two-game suspension to start the season. He drew the suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after a gun charge in Miami Beach last year.

The Detroit Lions, 1-0 in pre-season play after beating Pittsburgh, will take on Cincinnati this Thursday at Ford Field.  Hear the game at 6:30 on WBCK.

NFL Players Investigated

The NFL says the four NFL players are being investigated for an alleged link to performance-enhancing drugs will be suspended unless they agree to be interviewed by the league in the next 10 days. The players are James Harrison of the Steelers, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers of the Packers and free agent Mike Neal.

A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez has announced through a spokesman that he will not play again this year, dispelling rumors that he might join the Miami Marlins. The 41-year-old Rodriguez was released by the New York Yankees on Saturday after hitting just .200 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs this season.

Golf

Gene Sauers has won the rain-delayed U.S. Senior Open. Sauers closed with a 1-under 69 to finish 3-under in his first career senior victory.