Sports: Tigers Lose 5-2

Tigers

The Detroit Tigers dropped the first of a three game series with the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 last night at Tropicana Field. Anibal Sanchez was charged with the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits while striking out six in five and one third innings. Catcher Curt Casali hit two home runs. Bruce Rondon surrendered a two run homer in the bottom of the eighth. Yoenis Cespedes went two-for-four at the plate with two RBI, including a solo home run. The Tigers dropped to thee-games below .500 for the first time this season.  Tonight, David Price is scheduled to take the mound against his old team.

Broadcast time is 6:45 p.m. on WBCK. The Tigers recalled pitcher Buck Farmer from Triple-A Toledo and moved pitcher Shane Greene from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Farmer is expected to start in place of Greene Friday in Baltimore.

Bombers

The Bombers won 7-5 over the Lacrosse Loggers.  Bombers new outfielder Gary Russo, from Miami-Ohio, hit a 3-run HR in just his 4th game with the team.  The Road trip concludes today in La Crosse before an off day Wednesday.  The Bombers will play back-to-back double headers scheduled with Kalamazoo.   The Battle Creek Bombers have just four home games remaining…two this Friday, and one on Saturday and Sunday.

Lions

With the start of training camp less than a week away, Lions rookies are scheduled to report to the team's Allen Park facility today. Veterans have until Sunday to report and the first practice will be held next Monday. Detroit will open the preseason August 13th as they host the New York Jets at Ford Field.

Williams back on MSU Team

Michigan State junior running back Delton Williams, who violated University ordinance 18.01 by possessing a weapon on campus last March, will rejoin the football team in mid-August, according to an announcement made Monday, by Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio.  Williams hasn’t participated in any football-related activities since mid-March and hasn’t been enrolled in summer school.  Michigan State opens preseason football practice on Saturday, Aug. 8, with Williams scheduled to rejoin the team on Friday, Aug. 14.

Tulo to Jays

Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies was traded late yesterday to the Toronto Blue Jays for Jose Reyes and three pitching prospects. It was a swap of star shortstops. In addition to Tulowitzki, the Rockies sent 42-year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins to the Blue Jays.

City League Baseball

The Battle Creek Merchants in head to the NABF Regional in Flint Thursday for a chance to make the World Series.   HBC Behnke will host next month’s NABF World Series in Battle Creek starting on August 5th.

Coyotes

The Battle Creek Coyotes (5-3 MLFA, 6-4 Overall) earned a home playoff game for the second consecutive season, taking on the same  opponent they faced and defeated in the first round of playoffs last year.  The Coyotes will host the Wayne County Bengals (5-3 MLFA, 7-3 Overall) from Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, August 8. Location and time TBA. 

Playoff schedule:

August 8- Division semifinals
August 15- Division championship
August 22- Conference Championship
August 29- league championship