Portage Lake Majors Open State LL Tourney Today – Saturday Sports Wrap

Little League League Baseball

The Portage Lake Little League Majors team opens play in the state tournament this afternoon at 12:45 against Edwardsburg. Pool competition will continue tomorrow with a game against the host Grosse Pointe Farms team, and Monday against Taylor North. There are four pools of four teams each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals beginning Tuesday. If you would like to support the team’s trip downstate, you can contribute through their GoFundMe page here.

LSSU

Lake Superior State University has named David L. Diles as its new athletic director. Diles has previously served as AD at Eastern Michigan, St. Bonaventure, and Case Western Reserve, and has spent the past eight years as the athletic director at Virginia Military Institute. He succeeds David Paitson, who resigned after four years to accept a teaching position at the University of Indianapolis. Diles is the son of longtime sportscaster Dave Diles, Sr.

NBA

The NBA championship series continues tonight in Phoenix. The Suns and Bucks are tied at two wins per team.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings have traded Richard Panik to the New York Islanders. Panik is entering the third season of a four-year contract he originally signed with the Capitals. He came to Detroit in April as part of the Anthony Mantha trade. In exchange, Detroit gets defenseman Nick Leddy, and the Isles’ second-round pick in next week’s draft. The Wings will also cover half of the remaining cost of Panik’s contract.

MLB

The Detroit Tigers’ doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins was rained out yesterday. One game will be made up August 30th. The other will be played as part of a day-night doubleheader today. Coverage of the first game will start at 12:50 on 99.3 The Lift. José Ureña will pitch against Charlie Barnes. Coverage of the second contest will start at 5:50.

The Tigers have filled the hole on their coaching staff created when third-base coach Chip Hale left to become the head coach at the University of Arizona. Kimera Bartee will take over as first base coach for Detroit. Ramón Santiago moves to third base. George Lombard, who had been filling in at third base, returns to his duties as bench coach. Bartee played parts of four seasons with the Tigers in the late ’90s.

The Tigers also made some roster moves yesterday. Outfielder Nomar Mazar was designated for assignment. He had been signed as a free agent over the winter, but hit just .212 over the first half of the season. Infielder Willi Castro was sent down to Toledo, after hitting a meek .214 over the first half – well below the .349 average he turned in last season. Infielder Isaac Parades and outfielder Derek Hill return from the Mud Hens.

The Milwaukee Brewers climbed out of an early hole, and pounded the Cincinnati Reds 11-6 last night. Randy Houser gave up four runs over the first four innings. Milwaukee clawed back, eventually taking the lead with three runs in the sixth, then putting the gamE away with five in the eighth. Avisaíl García, Willy Adames and Luis Urías homered.

The Brewers host the Reds again this evening. Brandon Woodruff will start against Luis Castillo.

The COVID-19 resurgence has now hit two Major League teams. The Rockies placed four players on their COVID-19 list before last night’s game. The Yankees were cleared to play last night, after their Thursday game had to be canceled because of an outbreak.

Despite the resurgence, the Toronto Blue Jays are going home. Because of border closings and other COVID-19 restrictions, the Jays played all of last season in Buffalo, New York. This year, they played some games in their Dunedin, Florida spring training facility before returning to Buffalo. The Canadian government now says it will allow the team to host games in Toronto beginning July 30th. All players and team personnel will be tested for COVID-19, and significant restrictions will be placed on those who are not vaccinated.

Canal Run

The Hancock Canal Run returns this morning. Running and walking events will be taking place through the morning west of Hancock. Streets along the route will remain open to traffic. Motorists are asked to drive carefully, to help keep everyone safe. Proceeds from this year’s run will support Omega House, which provides end-of-life care to residents of the Keweenaw. Results will be posted here.

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