Sports: Tigers lose on walk-off, 8-4

(Source: Michigan Radio Network, Associated Press)

Tigers

The Tigers lost to the Reds 8-4 in a marathon 13 inning, rain-delayed game in Cincinnati.  Todd Frazier hit a two-out grand slam in the 13th inning to send the Cincinnati Reds to a walk-off win.  The Tigers were down 2-0 when Miguel Cabrera went deep in the sixth.  Then the rains came for a 1 hour and 14 minute delay, chasing starting pitchers David Price and Johnny Cueto.  After the delay, the Reds tied it at three, but the Tigers took the lead again on a Tyler Collins home run in the 8th. But the Tigers got a bad break in the bottom of the inning when former Tiger Brayan Pena’s ball hit the bag at second, scoring the tying run.  Game 4 of the home-and-home series with Cincinnati is tonight.  Justin Verlander will start for the Tigers. Hear it at 6:40 p.m. on WBCK.

Bombers

The Bombers lost 14-7 in La Crosse to fall to 9-13 on the season.  Those same two teams play tonight.   The Bombers play Friday and Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids.

MSU Extends Contracts for Izzo, others

The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously approved contract extensions for several members of the athletic department, including men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo and athletic director Mark Hollis. Izzo, who has been on the Spartans bench since 1995, will remain in his position through 2021.

Lions

The Detroit Lions wrap up their three-day mandatory minicamp at their Allen Park facility today. Wednesday, defensive end Devin Taylor ran a few plays as a defensive tackle and kicker Matt Prater practiced kicking field goals using Arena League goal posts, which are about half as wide as uprights in the NFL.  Prater also used the smaller target when he was with the Denver Broncos. Running back Joique Bell, defensive end Jason Jones and tackle LaAdrian Waddle did not take part in practice yesterday, but tight end Joseph Fauria, linebackers Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy all took part in individual drills. After today, the Lions will be off of the practice field until training camp in August.

Victor Martinez on the Mend

Victor Martinez went 1 for 5 with a single and a strikeout Wednesday afternoon in his fourth game with Triple-A Toledo and will join the Detroit Tigers on Friday in New York. Martinez could be activated for the three-game series in New York with the Yankees.  Reports regarding his mobility seem positive. If the Tigers activate Martinez in time for their game Friday it's likely that outfielder Tyler Collins would be sent to Toledo to make room for him on the active roster.

Tigers’ VerHagen Converted to Reliever

The Tigers are converting starting pitcher Drew VerHagen into a relief pitcher.
The 24 year old VerHagen has always been a starter since being drafted three years ago out of Vanderbilt and even made one start for the Tigers last season. VerHagen has spent time this season and last on the disabled list with a back issue.

US Open

The second major of the PGA season tees off this morning, with first-round play at the U.S. Open.  It’s the first time in PGA history that the Open will be in the Pacific northwest. Chambers Bay golf course outside Tacoma, Washington has just one tree and features a hilly terrain.