MLB – Major League Baseball
Yesterday

Detroit Tigers 8, Texas Rangers 5

Chicago White Sox 9, Los Angeles Angels 7

Philadelphia Phillies 3, Chicago Cubs 1

Tigers 8, Rangers 5 – Rangers still on record pace midway after 8-5 loss as Detroit’s Torkelson homers twice

Spencer Torkelson homered twice and Andy Ibañez had the go-ahead RBI single as the Detroit Tigers earned a series split against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers with a 8-5 victory. Ibañez broke a 3-all tie Thursday with his hit in the seventh off Joe Barlow. The Rangers reached the midway point of their first season for manager Bruce Bochy on a 98-win pace. Their last winning season was 2016 and they’ve never won more than 96 games. Mason Englert, the third Detroit reliever, got the victory.

White Sox 9, Angels 7 – Shohei Ohtani hits Angels-record 14th homer in June in 9-7 loss to the White Sox

Eloy Jiménez and Zach Remillard had two-run singles in the third inning and the Chicago White Sox beat Los Angeles 9-7 on Thursday, overcoming Shohei Ohtani’s Angels-record 14th homer in June. The Japanese superstar broke the team mark for home runs in a month in the ninth inning with a two-run shot to left-center off Kendall Graveman’s slider. Ohtani leads the majors with 29 homers. Mickey Moniak, Mike Moustakis and Hunter Renfroe also homered for Los Angeles. The Angels were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Mike Trout added three hits and made a leaping catch at the center field wall in the fourth inning to rob Andrew Vaughn of a solo shot.

Phillies 3, Cubs 1 – Schwarber homers on 1st pitch, Walker wins 5th straight start as Phillies beat Cubs 3-1

Kyle Schwarber homered on the game’s first pitch, Taijuan Walker won his fifth straight start and the surging Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1. Bryce Harper drove in two runs. Trea Turner had two hits and scored a run, helping the Phillies win for the 18th time in 23 games. Schwarber, the former Cub, got things started with a drive to right against Kyle Hendricks for his 21st homer. It was the 25th time he has gone deep to start a game. Walker went six innings, allowing one run and six hits. The Phillies overcame two dropped fly balls to win their ninth straight road game and match their best streak since May 1984. The Cubs have lost four in a row after winning nine of 10.

Today

Cleveland (Quantrill 2-4) at Chicago Cubs (Steele 8-2), 2:20 p.m.

Detroit (Lorenzen 2-5) at Colorado (Gomber 5-7), 8:10 p.m.       News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 7:45

Chicago White Sox (TBD) at Oakland (Medina 1-7), 9:40 p.m.

MLB – Another Tigers pitcher gets hurt when Reese Olson takes comebacker off knee

Another Detroit Tigers pitcher got hurt when starter Reese Olson took a comebacker off his left knee and exited in the second inning of Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Olson immediately dropped to the ground and grabbed his leg after being struck by Josh Smith’s sharp hit. The ball ricocheted into foul territory. Olson sat on the mound while being checked by out before getting up and gingerly walking to the dugout. Detroit has 10 pitchers on the injury list, and half of them have started games this season.

MLB – Cubs slugger Bellinger, SI swimsuit model Carter get engaged

Chicago Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Chase Carter are engaged. Carter announced Thursday on Instagram that the couple plan to marry. She posted three photos showing off her gleaming, massive ring, with Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline in the background. The couple have two children together.

MLB – Mike Trout elected to 11th All-Star Game, 4 Texas players chosen to start

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout has been elected to his 11th All-Star Game and four Texas Rangers were chosen by fans for the American League’s lineup for the July 11 game at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. Trout was voted to start for the 10th time and will be joined in the AL lineup by teammate Shohei Ohtani, who last week was chosen at designated hitter as the league’s top-vote getter in the first round. Nine first-time starters were picked by fans, including three Rangers: catcher Jonah Heim, shortstop Corey Seager and third baseman Josh Jung. Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien was chosen for his second start.

Golf – PGA – Taylor Moore, Peter Kuest lead Rocket Mortgage Classic; Dylan Wu 1 back

Taylor Moore and Monday qualifier Peter Kuest shot 8-under 64s to share the first-round lead in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. A slew of players are chasing them in what’s expected to be a shootout at Detroit Golf Club. Dylan Wu had the third albatross on the PGA Tour this season and shot 65, joining Sam Ryder, Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg, Sam Bennett, Justin Suh and Adam Schenk. Collin Morikawa was among those two shots back while Rickie Fowler was three off the lead at Detroit Golf Club. Some notable names were nowhere near the top of the leaderboard, including major champions Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama.

WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association
Last Night

Phoenix Mercury 85, Indiana Fever 63

Mercury 85, Fever 63 – Griner scores 22, Mercury beat Fever 85-63 to snap their six-game losing streak

Brittney Griner scored 22 points, Diana Taurasi had 17 points and six assists and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Indiana Fever 85-63 to snap a six-game losing streak. It was the first win for interim coach Nikki Blue, who took over after Phoenix fired Vanessa Nygaard on Sunday. The Mercury only scored 62 points against Dallas on Tuesday in Blue’s debut. Brianna Turner added a season-high 11 points for Phoenix (3-11). The Mercury had a season-high 28 assists on 34 made field goals. Sophie Cunningham (concussion evaluation) and Moriah Jefferson (ankle) did not play in the fourth quarter. Taurasi made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions late in the third quarter to help the Mercury lead 72-51 entering the fourth. Kelsey Mitchell scored 15 points for Indiana.

Tonight

Los Angeles Sparks at Chicago Sky, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday

Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever, 4:00 p.m.

NHL – Draft wraps up with 11 picks for Chicago, dearth of trades ahead of free agency

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired their latest generational talent along with a big dose of speed in one of the NHL’s largest draft hauls. They also made another big move for their future Thursday by adding veteran Corey Perry to help teach No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard how to be the leader the Blackhawks need to contend for a Stanley Cup. Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson says he couldn’t be happier with how this draft worked out with 11 players taken. The Anaheim Ducks added a big Swedish center to their young, talented offense in Leo Carlsson at No. 2 overall.

NHL – Blackhawks acquire Perry from Tampa, adding more experience to rebuild

The Chicago Blackhawks continued surrounding their youth-laden and Connor Bedard-headed rebuild with yet another experienced veteran, acquiring forward Corey Perry in a trade with Tampa Bay. The Blackhawks gave up a seventh-round pick in next year’s draft to acquire the 18-year player with the belief they can sign Perry, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Saturday. The 38-year-old Perry joins his fourth team in five years after spending his first 14 seasons with Anaheim. The trade was made during the second day of the NHL draft, and a day after Chicago selected Bedard at No. 1 overall.

NHL – Red Wings pick up Yamamoto, Kostin in trade with Oilers for future considerations

The Detroit Red Wings added much-needed scoring depth, acquiring 24-year-old forwards Kailer Yamamoto and Klim Kostin in a trade with Edmonton on Thursday for future considerations. The move clears salary cap space for Oilers general manager Ken Holland, who stepped aside when the Red Wings hired general manager Steve Yzerman four years ago. Yamamoto had 10 goals and 15 assists in 58 games last season, which was his sixth in Edmonton. Kostin had 11 goals and 10 assists in 57 games with the Oilers after arriving from St. Louis in an October trade.

NHL – Flat salary cap and lack of high-profile stars lessens focus on start of free agency

A flat salary cap combined with a lack of high-profile players hitting the market could make the start of the NHL’s free agent signing period more of a dud on Saturday. Numerous teams are already being challenged to retain their own players. They include the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins, who currently have less than $11 million of space and nine roster spots to fill. The bigger headlines are expected to come from teams re-signing their stars to long-term deals, such as the Sabres and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. The Columbus Blue Jackets, meantime, are anticipated to announce the hiring of Mike Babcock as coach after his existing contract with Toronto expires on Friday.

NBA – Veteran C Andre Drummond exercises his option to return to Bulls next season

Veteran center Andre Drummond exercised his player option to return to the Chicago Bulls next season. The 29-year-old Drummond was in and out of the rotation last season, averaging 6 points and 6.6 rebounds after signing with Chicago in July. The two-time All-Star has averaged 13.2 points and 12.7 rebounds over 11 seasons with Detroit, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Chicago. The Bulls went 40-42 last season and lost in the play-in tournament.

NBA – James Harden picks up $35.6 million option with the 76ers, AP source says

James Harden picked up his $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Philadelphia 76ers, with the franchise exploring trades to move the veteran scorer, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Harden informed the 76ers of his choice Thursday ahead of the midnight deadline to pick up the option, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision was not made public. The 33-year-old Harden could have declined the option and decided to try for free agency. The Sixers had the right to offer him a $210 million, four-year deal, $8 million more overall than any other team.

NBA – The already hectic NBA offseason now poised for free agents to make moves

It’s already been a busy offseason for player movement in the NBA. Now free agency begins Friday evening. There are big names that could be on the move, including Khris Middleton and Draymond Green. There are some players like Max Strus who are in line for big paydays for the first time. Trades are still a possibility, especially since James Harden has picked up his player option. And teams now have to navigate new rules that come with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that goes into effect on Saturday.

NFL – NFL suspends 3 indefinitely for violating the gambling policy and a 4th gets 6 games

NFL has suspended three players indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy and a fourth was sidelined for six games. Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts along with free agent Demetrius Taylor received indefinite suspensions through at least this season for betting on NFL games in 2022. They won’t be able to seek reinstatement until the 2023 season ends. Tennessee Titans right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season for betting on non-NFL sports at the team’s facility. He is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason activities, including preseason games.

Hockey – Deal with Dodgers co-owner unifies women’s pro hockey in North America

Professional women’s hockey in North America was unified Thursday when a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck a deal with the Premier Hockey Federation. That’s according to two people with direct knowledge of the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press because the deal hadn’t been announced. A third person also confirmed the partial purchase of the PHF by Mark Walter’s firm. One of the people says the deal will result in a new women’s hockey league that is projected to launch in January. The PHF will cease operations under the deal, according to one of the people.

Nassar – Sexual assault laws inspired by Nassar’s abuse are signed by governor

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a package of bills that will create stricter punishments for sexual assault that takes place under the guise of medical treatment. The new laws will also protect students who report it. The bills were first inspired in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal. Students testified that they had told adults what was happening but it went unreported. The new laws will also create comprehensive training materials for people required to report suspected child abuse and neglect.

MWL – Midwest League Baseball
Last Night

West Michigan 4, Dayton 2

Lansing at Great Lakes, PPD, Rain

South Bend 6, Beloit 0

Tonight

Dayton Dragons at West Michigan Whitecaps, 5:35 p.m. (DH)

Lansing Lugnuts at Great Lakes Loons, 5:35p.m. (DH)

South Bend Cubs at Beloit Sky Carp, 7:35 p.m.

MHSAA – Lakeshore pitcher Ava Mullen name Miss Softball

It was announced Thursday by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association, the Lakeshore pitcher Ava Mullen has been named as Miss Softball as the top player in the state.  Mullen who just graduated from Lakeshore high school will be playing softball next season at Michigan State.

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