MLB – Major League Baseball
Yesterday
Atlanta Braves 10, Chicago Cubs 0
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, PPD
Braves 10, Cubs 0 – Braves hit 5 homers, pound Hendricks, Cubs 10-0
Marcell Ozuna homered in a four-run first inning, Huascar Ynoa pitched 5 1/3 strong innings and the Atlanta Braves went deep five times to beat the Chicago Cubs 10-0 for their third straight victory. Ynoa added his first career homer in the fourth as Atlanta shut out the Cubs for the second straight night. Chicago has lost five in a row. Freddie Freeman went 4 for 5 and hit his seventh homer in the sixth. The first three Atlanta homers came off Kyle Hendricks, who gave up seven runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Tigers at White Sox – PPD – Tigers-White Sox postponed by rain, doubleheader Thursday
The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox had their game postponed by rain and will make it up as part of a straight doubleheader Thursday. Detroit took the first game of the series 5-2 on Tuesday. The Tigers overcame five errors to snap a five-game losing streak. The doubleheader will be the second of four scheduled for the White Sox this season. It will also be the Tigers’ second. Detroit right-hander Casey Mize and Chicago left-hander Carlos Rodón were pushed back to pitch in the first game Thursday while left-hander Matthew Boyd and right-hander Dylan Cease will start in the second game.
Today
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, 5:10 p.m./8:10 p.m. 94.9 WSJM/103.7 Cosy-FM 4:50
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves, 7:20 p.m.
MLB – Phillies’ Bryce Harper hit by pitch in face, "feels good"
Phillies star Bryce Harper said he feels fine after being hit in the face by a 96.9 mph fastball Wednesday night, forcing him from Philadelphia’s game against St. Louis. Harper was drilled in the left cheek by left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera’s first pitch in the sixth inning. The All-Star slugger picked himself up and walked off the field, blood dripping from a cut on the side of his nose. Cabrera drilled Didi Gregorius with another fastball on his next pitch. Phillies manager Joe Girardi came out of the dugout to argue with plate umpire Chris Segal and was ejected.
NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
New York Knicks 113, Chicago Bulls 94
Knicks 113, Bulls 94 – Randle, Knicks beat Bulls 113-94 for 10th win in 11 games
Julius Randle scored 34 points and the New York Knicks beat the Chicago Bulls 113-94 for their 10th win in 11 games. RJ Barrett added 22 points as New York bounced back from its loss to Phoenix that snapped a nine-game winning streak. Immanuel Quickley and Reggie Bullock each scored 13 points as the Knicks regained sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Nikola Vucevic had 26 points and 18 rebounds for Chicago. Lauri Markkanen added 14 points, while Colby White and Garrett Temple each had 12.
Tonight
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons, 7:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.
NHL – National Hockey League
Tonight
Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:00 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:00 p.m.
NFL – NFL seeks return to normalcy with draft on Lake Erie shores
Return To Normalcy! That’s not exactly the slogan for the NFL draft being staged tonight through Saturday in Cleveland. It’s more at the top of the league’s wish list as it allows some prospects and fans to attend the festivities — yes, there are those going on by the shores of Lake Erie. Sure the draft is the NFL’s most popular event other than the Super Bowl and opening day. And it being held virtually in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic was a most emphatic sign that very little would be normal for pro football last year. The league is taking a more optimistic approach this week. Round 1 is tonight, rounds 2 and 3 are on Friday, and Saturday will have rounds 3-7.
NFL – Networks realize draft drama without frills sometimes best
Producer Charlie Yook and NFL Network didn’t have their own draft broadcast last year, but he was able to glean a couple of things from last year’s joint effort with ESPN. The biggest is when it comes to the draft, sometimes simple works best and that it is OK to combine resources. While 12 prospects will be in Cleveland waiting to be selected and pose with commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL has sent 45 camera kits to prospects homes with iPhones, lighting, a backdrop and the hats of each team. NFL Network and ESPN will also have access to all 32 team war room cams after years of competing to see which teams they could get exclusive access.
NFL – Lions exercise 5th-year option on center Frank Ragnow
The Detroit Lions exercised the fifth-year contract option on Pro Bowl offensive lineman Frank Ragnow. Ragnow is entering his fourth NFL season after being drafted in the first round out of Arkansas. He’s started all 45 games he’s appeared in and he earned his first Pro Bowl berth last season. Detroit also waived tight end Hunter Bryant with a non-football injury designation.
NFL – Panthers trading Teddy Bridgewater to Broncos
Drew Lock suddenly has competition at quarterback after the Denver Broncos acquired Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers for a sixth-round pick in this week’s NFL draft. Bridgewater became available when the Panthers traded for former Jets QB Sam Darnold three weeks ago. Bridgewater went 4-11 as the Panthers’ starter last year and struggled to win close games down the stretch. Lock tied for the league lead with 15 interceptions in 13 starts and his passer rating ranked 32nd in the NFL last season. The third-year pro was 4-9 overall with 16 touchdown throws and is 8-10 in two years as Denver’s starter.
NFL – AP Source: WR Antonio Brown returning to Bucs on 1-year deal
A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that receiver Antonio Brown has agreed to return to the Buccaneers on a one-year contract that could be worth up to $6.5 million, including incentives. Bringing back Brown ensures Tom Brady will pursue an eighth Super Bowl ring with the entire “band” of offensive playmakers assembled around the 43-year-old quarterback last season.
NCAA – One-time transfer rule clears last NCAA step, starts in 2021
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors ratified a rule change that will allow all athletes who have not yet transferred the ability to do so one time in a college career and be immediately eligible to play. The Division I Council adopted the proposed legislation earlier this month. The board took the last step to make the historic rule change official and the NCAA clarified some of the details in a news release. The one-time exception had been previously available to some athletes, just not those in football, basketball, baseball and men’s ice hockey. Now it will be available to all athletes who have not yet transferred, starting with the 2021-22 academic year.
NWHL – NWHL doubles salary cap to $300K, delays Montreal expansion
The National Women’s Hockey League is doubling its salary cap to $300,000 for each of its six teams. At the same time, Boston Pride chairman Miles Arnone says the league is putting off adding an expansion franchise in Montreal until the 2022-23 season because of continuing uncertainties due to the coronavirus pandemic. Arnone has a stake in the BTM ownership group behind the Montreal expansion bid and operates the Toronto Six. The dramatic increase of the salary cap is based on league projections indicating that the NWHL is making strides in achieving financial stability entering its seventh season. The move comes after a year in which the league was restricted to playing a two-week season, which was disrupted further by an outbreak of COVID-19.
NCAAROW – UConn women’s rowers file lawsuit seeking to save program
Members of UConn’s women’s rowing team have filed a federal lawsuit alleging UConn’s plan to eliminate their program violates their civil rights. Twelve rowers are named as defendants in the suit, which was filed as a class action on behalf of the entire team, citing Title IX, the federal law that ensures equal access to education for women, including in athletics. UConn says it took Title IX into consideration before deciding last year to eliminate rowing and three men’s athletic programs. The move was made as part of budget cuts in the athletic department.
Olympics – More tests and still more questions about the Tokyo Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics open in under three months and there are still more questions than answers despite the rollout of new rule books to explain how the games will take place in the middle of a surging pandemic in Japan. The second version of the “Playbooks” for athletes was released by the International Olympic Committee and the the local organizers. Versions for other non-athlete groups are to be released later. And a third version will come out in June. The Olympics open on July 23. More testing for everyone was the key highlight.
AHL – American Hockey League
Last Night
Grand Rapids Griffins 3, Rockford IceHogs 2
Tonight
Chicago Wolves at Grand Rapids Griffins, 7:00 p.m.
MCCAA – Junior College Sports
Yesterday
Baseball
Glen Oaks Community College at Lake Michigan College, PPD
Women’s Soccer
Kellogg Community College at Lake Michigan College, PPD
MHSAA – Muskegon Orchard View’s Barnes wins AP D2 Player of the Year
Ke’Ontae Barnes of Muskegon Orchard View has been voted The Associated Press Division 2 Player of the Year by a panel of sports writers across the state. Barnes etched his name into Orchard View’s record books as the school’s all-time leading boys scorer with 1,607 career points. He averaged 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 3.7 assists per game for a 17-1 squad that was ranked No. 9 in the final Division 2 poll. Benton Harbor senior Kentrell Pullian and Coloma senior Drew Goodline were named First-Team All State. Selected Honorable Mention, Lakeshore’s Grand Gondrezick, Paw Paw’s Finlay Tate, Three Rivers’ Isaiah Moore, Buchanan’s Logan Carson.
MHSAA – Judge rejects challenge to masks, virus tests for athletes
A judge has rejected a request to stop regular coronavirus testing of Michigan school athletes and other steps ordered by the state health department. Judge Michael Kelly says an injunction isn’t appropriate at this stage because a group called Let Them Play Michigan is unlikely to win the case. The group argued that health department orders, especially weekly virus testing, should have gone through a formal rule-making process. But the judge says state law “plainly gives” authority to the health director to issue emergency orders in response to a pandemic.
MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Girls Soccer
St. Joseph 1, Portage Northern 1 – TIE
Battle Creek Lakeview 2, Lakeshore 1
Lake Michigan Catholic 4, Niles 1
Michigan Lutheran 3, Berrien Springs 1
Bridgman 4, Buchanan 3
New Buffalo 2, Hartford 1
Brandywine 8, Covert 0
Gull Lake 1, Portage Central 0
Mattawan 9, Kalamazoo Central 0
Kal. Loy Norrix 12, Battle Creek Central 0
Allegan 4, Vicksburg 2
Otsego 1, Edwardsburg 0
Paw Paw 4, Sturgis 1
Constantine 6, Bronson 0
Fennville 2, Parchment 1
Kalamazoo Hackett 3, Saugatuck 1
Kalamazoo Christian 4, Schoolcraft 2
Baseball
Portage Northern 15, Lakeshore 0 – Game 1
Lakeshore 5, Portage Northern 4 – Game 2
Allegan 14, Fennville 4 – Game 1
Allegan 16, Fennville 1 – Game 2
Plainwell 15, Hopkins 4
Softball
Lakeshore 12, Portage Northern 2 – Game 1
Lakeshore 10, Portage Northern 6 – Game 2
Watervliet 16, Constantine 2 – Game 1
Watervliet 11, Constantine 3 – Game 2
Holland West Ottawa 14, Saugatuck 8 – Game 1
Holland West Ottawa 11, Saugatuck 1 – Game 2
Boys Golf
SMAC at Stonehedge North (Gull Lake host)
- Gull Lake 322
- Portage Northern 325
- Portage Central 327
- St. Joseph 332
- Lakeshore 343
- Mattawan 350
- Kalamazoo Central 379
- B. C. Lakeview 390
- Loy Norrix 409
BCS- White at Chikaming (River Valley)
- Bridgman 194
- Lake Mich. Catholic 198
- New Buffalo 245
- River Valley 259
- Howardsville Chr. 291
Girls Tennis
St. Joseph 5, BC Lakeview 3
South Haven 6, New Buffalo 2
Buchanan 8, Berrien Springs 0
Track and Field
Buchanan at Niles
Boys: Buchanan 96, Niles 37
Girls: Buchanan 64, Niles 55
Today
Baseball
Kalamazoo Central at St. Joseph, 4:00 p.m.
Mattawan at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m.
Kal. Loy Norrix at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m.
Battle Creek Central at BC Lakeview, 4:00 p.m.
Decatur at Bloomingdale, 4:00 p.m.
Marcellus at Cassopolis, 4:00 p.m.
Mendon at Centreville, 4:00 p.m.
Bangor at Hartford, 4:00 p.m.
Fennville at Watervliet, 4:30 p.m.
Parchment at Schoolcraft, 4:30 p.m.
Constantine at Galesburg-Augusta, 4:30 p.m.
Saugatuck at Gobles, 4:30 p.m.
Vicksburg at Coldwater, 4:00 p.m.
Quincy at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m.
Softball
Kalamazoo Central at St. Joseph, 4:00 p.m.
Mattawan at Gull Lake, 4:00 p.m.
Fennville at Watervliet, 4:30 p.m.
Parchment at Schoolcraft, 4:30 p.m.
Constantine at Galesburg-Augusta, 4:30 p.m.
Saugatuck at Gobles, 4:30 p.m.
Coloma at Kalamazoo Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Lawton at Martin, 4:30 p.m.
Kal. Loy Norrix at Portage Central, 4:00 p.m.
Decatur at Bloomingdale, 4:00 p.m.
Marcellus at Cassopolis, 4:00 p.m.
Mendon at Centreville, 4:00 p.m.
Bangor at Hartford, 4:00 p.m.
Vicksburg at Coldwater, 4:00 p.m.
Quincy at Sturgis, 4:00 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Fennville at Hartford, 5:00 p.m.
Holt at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 6:30 p.m.
Boys Golf
Gull Lake Tom Collins Memorial Invitational, Bedford Valley GC, 9:00 a.m.
St. Joseph, Lakeshore, Gull Lake, Portage Central, Kalamazoo Central, Kalamazoo Hackett, Kalamazoo Christian, Battle Creek Lakeview, Portage Northern, Marshall, Mattawan, Plainwell, Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Vicksburg, Edwardsburg, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Chelsea
