Sports: Ausmus Out as Tiger Manager?

Ausmus Out as Manager?

Reports say Tigers manager Brad Ausmus will not be back next season.  TV 4 in Detroit says new GM Al Avila may want to hire his "own manager for a fresh start." Among the first candidates would be former Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. Ausmus has one year remaining on his contract. The club also holds an option for the 2017 season.

Tigers

The Tigers began a seven game road trip with a 7-5 loss in the first of a four game set against the Indians in Cleveland.  Ian Kinsler, Anthony Gose, Nick Castellanos and Andrew Romine each batted in a run.  Starter Alfredo Simon did not get a decision, giving up five runs on nine in six innings of work.  Reliever Blaine Hardy was charged with the loss after surrendering the go-ahead two run homer to Michael Brantley in the eighth inning. Tonight, Justin Verlander will pitch for the Tigers.  We’ll join the game tonight, in progress, following High School Football.

NFL

It was the Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski show as the Patriots opened the NFL season with a 28-21 win over the Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Brady threw for 288 yards and connected with "Gronk" on three of his four touchdown passes. Brady wasn't even supposed to play until his four-game suspension for "Deflategate" was recently over turned in court.

Lions

The Lions continue to prepare for Sunday's opener against the Chargers in San Diego. Linebacker DeAndre Levy, defensive tackle Caraun Reid and guard Larry Warford all missed a second straight practice yesterday with injuries. Detroit has restructured wide receiver Golden Tate's contract to free up over two-million-dollars in cap space. Arizona has signed former Detroit Lions tight end Joseph Fauria

College Football

Number-five Michigan State kicks off against number-seven Oregon in their football home opener at Spartan Stadium tomorrow night, as MSU tries to avenge a loss in Oregon last season.

The University of Michigan is also playing at home for the first time this season as they host Oregon State at the Big House tomorrow. The Wolverines might have another running back in the mix in time for Saturday's home opener against Oregon State. Running back Drake Johnson, who is coming off his second ACL injury, could be ready to take the field against the Beavers.  Michigan has dismissed offensive lineman Logan Tuley-Tillman from the football team for what coach Jim Harbaugh called "conduct unacceptable for a Michigan student-athlete."  Tuley-Tillman appeared in one game for the Wolverines last season after not playing at all in 2013.

Western Michigan will travel south to take on Georgia Southern on Saturday.

Girls’ Cross Country

The Harper Creek girls’ cross country team won the Berrien Springs Shamrock Invitational on Thursday, beating six other teams.  Allegra Baird had the best time, running the race in 21:01.

The Harper Creek boys’ team finished third.

Volleyball

Lake Michigan College beat KCC, 3-1.  The Lady Bruins fall to 1-5.

St. Phillip beat North Adams-Jerome, 3-0.

Calhoun Christian 3, Kalamazoo Homeschool 1.

Boys’ Soccer

Battle Creek Central and Lakeview battled to a scoreless tie.

Girls’ Swimming

Harper Creek 121, Kalamazoo Central 67.

High School Football

Tonight….its Battle Creek Central hosting Lakeview….6:35 on WBCK.

Harper Creek  vs. Jackson Lumen Christi  (HC 1-1)

Pennfield  vs. Coldwater  (P 1-1)

St. Philip  vs. Tekonsha  - 8-Man Football (St. P 2-0, T 1-1)

Union City  vs. Athens  (UC 1-1, At 0-2)

Colon  vs. Bellevue  (Be 0-1)

Bronson  vs. Parchment  (Br 0-2)

Climax-Scotts  vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian  (C-S 2-0)

Constantine  vs. Delton  (D 1-1)

Galesburg-Augusta  vs. Gobles  (G-A 1-1)

Gull Lake  vs. Mattawan  (GL 1-1)

Hamilton  vs. Hastings  (Ha 1-1)

Homer  vs. Concord  (Ho 1-1)

Maple Valley  vs. Lakewood-Lake Odessa  (MV 0-2)

Marshall  vs. Parma Western  (Ma 1-1)

Perry  vs. Olivet  (O 1-1)

Quincy  vs. Springport  (Q 1-1)

Nascar

Saturday's Federated Auto Parts 400 at the Richmond International Raceway is the final regular-season race before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Draymond gives MSU 3 mil

Golden State Warriors standout Draymond Green is donating $3.1 million to Michigan State in support of its men's basketball program. Green played for the Spartans and graduated in 2012. His donation is the largest single gift to Michigan State athletics from a former Spartans athlete.

US Open

The women's semifinals at the U.S. Open were rained out yesterday and will be part of Friday's schedule at the National Tennis Center. Top seed and No. 1-ranked Serena Williams will take on Roberta Vinci before second seed Simona Halep goes against 26th seed Flavia Pannetta. The men's semifinals are also on tap with No. 1 Novak Djokovic playing ninth seed Marin Cilic and second seed Roger Federer going against No. 5 Stan Wawrinka.