Weekday Morning Sports – Friday 9/23/16

sportsreport-115
sportsreport-115

95.7 & 1400 WSJM Sports     @wsjmsports     wsjmsports.com     Friday, September 23, 2016

MLB – Major League Baseball
Yesterday
Detroit Tigers 9, Minnesota Twins 2    Game 1
Detroit Tigers 4, Minnesota Twins 2    Game 2

Tigers 9, Twins 2 – Game 1 – Upton, Martinez homer as Detroit beats Twins 9-2
Justin Upton and Victor Martinez homered as the Detroit Tigers picked up another win in the AL wild-card chase, beating the Minnesota Twins 9-2 Thursday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader. Upton hit a tiebreaking homer off Alex Wimmers (1-3) in the seventh for a 2-1 lead. Jose Iglesias had a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Martinez, who had missed two straight games because of a swollen right knee, pinch hit had a three-homer home run against Pat Light in a six-run ninth. Anibal Sanchez allowed one run and two hits in five innings in a spot start, and Alex Wilson (4-0), Shane Green and Mark Lowe finished the five-hitter. Detroit began the day one game behind Baltimore for the AL’s second wild card.

Tigers 4, Twins 2 – Game 2 – Verlander, Tigers sweep Twins, move into AL wild-card spot
Justin Verlander tied a season-high with 11 strikeouts and the Detroit Tigers moved into the second AL wild-card spot by beating the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Thursday to sweep a day-night doubleheader. Erick Aybar drove in two runs for Detroit, which moved a half-game ahead of Baltimore for the second wild card and trails Toronto by one game. The Tigers went 9-0 at Minnesota this year. Verlander (15-8) allowed four hits in six innings, including home runs by Juan Centeno and Byron Buxton. He has won 12 of his last 13 starts against the Twins. Francisco Rodriguez got three outs for his 44th save in 48 chances

Today
St. Louis (Mike Leake 9-10) at Chicago Cubs (Jake Arrieta 17-7), 2:20 p.m.
Kansas City (Duffy 12-2) at Detroit (Fulmer 10-7), 7:10 p.m.       98.3 The Coast, 6:45
Chicago White Sox (Gonzalez 4-7) at Cleveland (Bauer 11-8), 7:10 p.m.

MLB – Cubs’ elephant in room is pressure. Bring it on, they say
Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins. Ron Santo and Ryne Sandberg, too. Hall of Famers for the Chicago Cubs, but no championship rings. They all tried. Some got closer than others, but the famed drought got the best of them all. And decades of empty Octobers eventually took on a life of their own. Now, as a new group of Cubs prepares to take aim at a lifetime of free drinks on the North Side, Sandberg, for one, believes this team might be uniquely positioned to succeed where so many others failed. “I think when it’s talked about in that regard and you don’t have a game plan for that, you know, that that can be talked about on a daily basis,” Sandberg said, addressing the elephant in the room _ the 108 years since the Cubs last won the World Series. “It can be brought to the players’ attentions, but I think this team here focuses on other things. “They focus on their teammates, themselves, winning the game, having fun, somebody come up big and let’s celebrate in the room in there, and I think that’s their mentality. It seems to work.”

NFL – National Football League – Week 3
Last Night
New England Patriots 27, Houston Texans 0

Patriots 27, Texans 0 – Brissett shines in starting role for Pats
Jacoby Brissett completed 11 of 19 passes for 103 yards, and ran for 48 yards on eight carries for the New England Patriots as they took advantage of three Houston turnovers to rout the Texans 27-0. His 27-yard touchdown run was the longest for a Patriots quarterback since 1976 and helped the Pats improve to 3-0 despite the absence of suspended quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games.

Sunday
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m.                             95.7 & 1400 WSJM Sports, 11:00
San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m.
Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys, 8:30 p.m.

NFL – Back home, Packers look to get timing back against Lions
The Green Bay Packers need to get their timing back in the passing game. Detroit is looking to rebound from a 16-15 loss to Tennessee in the Lions’ home opener on Marcus Mariota’s 9-yard touchdown pass late to Andre Johnson. Ameer Abdullah’s foot injury likely means Theo Riddick will get a chance to prove he can be an every-down running back for the Lions.

NFL – Bears promoted Barkley to active roster, place Houston on IR
The Chicago Bears have promoted quarterback Matt Barkley to the active roster and placed linebacker Lamarr Houston on injured reserve. Barkley, the former USC star, figures to back up Brian Hoyer at Dallas Sunday night after starter Jay Cutler sprained his right thumb in Monday’s loss to Philadelphia.

NFL – Judge: Some St. Louis seat-license holders have rights in LA
A federal judge has ruled that the NFL’s Rams must grant season tickets to some people who bought personal seat licenses while the team was still in St. Louis, even though the team is now in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. also said Wednesday that the Rams must refund deposits for other people who bought PSLs in St. Louis. About 46,000 fans had PSLs, which give the holder the right to purchase season tickets, for the St. Louis Rams, some at a cost of up to $1,000.

NCAA Football – Secret’s out at No. 11 Wisconsin: Hornibrook to start at QB
The secret is out at Number 11 Wisconsin: Alex Hornibrook will start at quarterback on Saturday against 8th ranked Michigan State. Coach Paul Chryst said Thursday that Hornibrook would take over behind center after Bart Houston started the first three games. Chryst said he made the decision this week, though Thursday was the first time that he had talked about it publicly. Hornibrook is a redshirt freshman in his second year in the Wisconsin program under second-year coach Chryst. The left-handed quarterback has showed poise and accuracy in limited time for the Badgers (3-0). Hornibrook helped jump-start the offense in the second half last week in a 23-17 win over Georgia State. He relieved Houston midway through the third quarter and led three scoring drives.

Last Night
#5 Clemson 26, Georgia Tech 7

Tonight
Wyoming at Eastern Michigan, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday
#11 Wisconsin at #8 Michigan State, 12:00 p.m.               Superhits 103.7 Cosy-FM 10:30
Central Michigan at Virginia, 12:30 p.m.
Penn State at #4 Michigan, 3:30 p.m.                                News/Talk 94.9 WSJM
Duke at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m.
Georgia Southern at Western Michigan, 7:00 p.m.

NCAA Football – Indiana dismisses RB facing 2 child molestation charges
Freshman Indiana running back Kiante Enis was kicked off the team Thursday, less than 24 hours after being charged with two counts of felony child molestation for allegedly having an improper relationship with a child under 13. The athletic department issued a one-sentence statement, announcing the dismissal would take effect immediately. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department said the charges were filed Wednesday. Each is punishable by up to 16 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  In a release, the sheriff’s department said it was investigating a report that Enis and a child under the age of 13 had a relationship. The department said Enis admitted to at least two consensual sexual encounters.  Enis was booked into county jail and held on a $20,000 bond. Enis rushed for 7,014 and 98 touchdowns at Winchester Community High School and originally committed to playing at Michigan before changing his mind and staying in state. He is the nephew of former NFL player Curtis Enis. The news about Enis came one day after backup kicker Aaron Del Grosso was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and public intoxication, following an argument with an ex-girlfriend over ownership of a dog.

Hockey – US goes winless at World Cup after loss to Czech Republic
The United States wrapped up a disappointing, winless performance at the World Cup of Hockey with a 4-3 loss to the Czech Republic Thursday night. Previous losses to Team Europe and Canada eliminated the U.S. from contention, and its round-robin finale had no meaning for either team.  Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek stopped 36 of 39 shots,  his Detroit teammate Justin Abdelkader had one of the goals for the winless American team.

Golf – Johnson shares lead
Dustin Johnson has put himself in position to add a FedEx Cup title to his U.S. Open  crown with an opening 4-under 66 at the Tour Championship. Johnson entered the season-ending event No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings after winning the BMW Championship.  He’s tied for the first round lead with Hideki Matsuyama and Kevin Chappell.  Jason Day is also in the hunt for the FedEx Cup title, sitting fifth in the standings.  He heads up a group of golfers who are one-shot off the pace. Defending Tour Championship winner Jordan Spieth is in a group two shots back.

NBA – NBA referees to watch traveling, groin hits more closely
NBA referees will be cracking down this season on “unnatural acts,” such as the hit to the groin area that resulted in Draymond Green’s suspension during the NBA Finals. They will also more closely monitor traveling after complaints from coaches that players are getting away with too many steps on the perimeter. The referees were informed and instructed about those items this week during their preseason meetings and training camp. The “unnatural” plays are a point of emphasis after a number of situations involving Green during the postseason. The All-Star forward had a habit of flailing his arms or legs and a few times made contact with opponents in the groin area.  He was finally suspended after hitting LeBron James during the finals and missed Game 5. Cleveland rallied to beat Golden State for the title in seven games.

Olympics – Los Angeles adds 3 venues to bid for 2024 Olympics
Three existing venues have been added to Los Angeles’ bid for the 2024 Olympics, including Long Beach as one of four main sports clusters. LA2024 announced the additional venues Thursday, emphasizing its use of existing venues to avoid costly construction and cost overruns that have plagued Olympic host cities in recent years.  Long Beach’s arena, convention center, waterfront and pier would comprise one of four main sports clusters scattered around the Los Angeles area as opposed to having a single Olympic Park. The city joins the other clusters of downtown Los Angeles, the South Bay near Torrance and the San Fernando Valley. The venue changes will be included in LA2024’s second bid file that is due to the International Olympic Committee on Oct. 7. The IOC will select the 2024 host city in September 2017.

Olympics – USOC chair warns of `Cold War mentality’ in antidoping fight
The leader of the U.S. Olympic Committee reiterated his support for allowing some Russians to compete at the Rio Games and said that to fix worldwide doping problems, “we can’t devolve into a Cold War mentality of us versus them.” Chairman Larry Probst supported the International Olympic Committee’s near-unanimous rubber-stamping of IOC President Thomas Bach’s decision to avoid a blanket ban of the Russians from the Olympics.  Speaking at the U.S. Olympic Assembly on Thursday, Probst introduced a short video message from Bach, who praised the U.S. for its leadership in the worldwide sports movement.  After Bach’s video, Probst reiterated his support of the president’s stance on Russia. The World Anti-Doping Agency recommended the country’s ouster from Rio after investigators found evidence of a state-sponsored doping system in the country.

Olympics – Congress moves to block ‘victory tax’ on Olympic athletes
A bill moving forward in Congress would block the IRS from taxing most medals or other prizes awarded to U.S. Olympians. The U.S. Olympic Committee awards cash prizes to Olympic medal winners: $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Because the money is considered earned income, it is taxed _ a practice some lawmakers refer to the “victory tax.”   The Senate passed legislation to make the winnings tax-free just before the Summer Olympics. The House approved a similar bill on Thursday, 415-1. The House bill would allow Olympic taxes on high-profile athletes such as swimmer Michael Phelps who earn more than $1 million a year.  The bill now goes back to the Senate.

MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Soccer
St. Joseph 2, Niles 0
Gull Lake 2, Mattawan 1 – OT
Dowagiac 8, Cassopolis 2
Hartford 7, Brandywine 0

Boys Tennis
St. Joseph 7, Allegan 1

Girls Volleyball
Michigan Lutheran 3, Howardsville Christian 0
Edwardsburg 3, Dowagiac 0
Otsego 3, Three Rivers 0
Vicksburg 3, Sturgis 0
Plainwell 3, Allegan 0

Girls Swimming
St. Joseph 103, South Haven 83

Tonight
Football – All Games at 7:00 p.m.
SMAC
Mattawan (0-4) at St. Joseph (3-1)                                                  95.7 & 1400 WSJM Sports
Lakeshore (3-1) at Gull Lake (2-2)                                                   97.5 Y Country
Battle Creek Central (0-4) at Niles (3-1)
Portage Northern (2-2) at Kalamazoo Central (2-2)
Battle Creek Lakeview (3-0) at Portage Central (3-1)

Wolverine
South Haven (3-1) at Paw Paw (2-2)                                                 Superhits 103.7 Cosy-FM
Edwardsburg (4-0) at Dowagiac (2-2)
Plainwell (1-3) at Allegan (0-4)
Vicksburg (3-1) at Sturgis (2-2)
Three Rivers (3-1) at Otsego (0-4)

Independent
Benton Harbor (4-0) at Wyoming Godwin Heights (3-1)                       News/Talk 94.9 WSJM

BCS
Parchment (3-1) at Lake Michigan Catholic (4-0)                                at Watervliet
Bridgman (3-1) at Berrien Springs (1-2)
Buchanan (1-2) at Cassopolis (4-0)
Brandywine (1-3) at Comstock (1-3)
New Buffalo (2-2) at River Valley 03
Mendon (2-2) at White Pigeon (1-3)
Bronson (0-4) at Centreville (1-3)

SAC
Watervliet (3-1) at Fennville (2-2)
Coloma (0-4) at Delton-Kellogg (2-2)
Eau Claire (0-4) at Martin (2-2)
Decatur (2-2) at Saugatuck (4-0)
Marcellus (2-2) at Bloomingdale (0-4)
Bangor (0-4) at Hartford (0-4)
Lawton (4-0) at Gobles (4-0)
Schoolcraft (4-0) at Galesburg-Augusta (2-2)
Constantine (3-1) at Kalamazoo Hackett (2-2)

Saturday
SMAC
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (0-4) at Bay City John Glenn (2-2), 5:00 p.m.

8-Man Football
Covert (0-4) at Michigan Lutheran (1-3), 6:00 p.m.                   at River Valley
Elyria Christian (OH) (0-4) at Lawrence (4-0), 1:00 p.m.
Camden-Frontier (3-0) at Battle Creek St. Philip (4-0), 3:00 p.m.          at Battle Creek Central