Tigers look to clinch/Cards and Giants resume play
UNDATED (AP) — The Detroit Tigers can clinch a spot in the World Series with a win over the Yankees in the Motor City this evening. The Tigers took a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven American League Championship Series last night with a 2-1 victory. Justin Verlander held the Yankees in check, allowing the lone run on three hits in 8 1/3 innings of work. Phil Coke came on in the ninth to record the final two outs. The loser was Phil Hughes, who allowed a run in three innings of work.
The pitching in tonight’s fourth game has CC Sabathia on the mound for the New Yorkers against Max Scherzer.
If the Tigers win they can sit back and wait for the end of the National League Championship Series. Should the Yankees win, Game 5 will take place tomorrow in Detroit.
The third game of the St. Louis-San Francisco NLCS is being played this afternoon in St. Louis. The Cardinals won the opening game 6-4 while the Giants roared back to a 7-1 victory in Game 2. Today’s pitching matchup has Matt Cain going for the Giants against fellow right hander Kyle Lohse for the Cards.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy expects second baseman Marco Scutaro to be in his lineup card for today game. He was injured in the previous game when Matt Holliday of the Cards plowed into him while sliding into second base.
Results of an MRI exam showed Scutaro has a strained left hip and a sore left knee.
Regarding the possibility of retribution for the hard slide, Bochy says, “that’s over. You have to move on.”
NFL-BROWNS
Cyclist loses sponsor and steps down from chairmanship of Livestrong
NEW YORK (AP) — Nike is severing ties with famed cyclist Lance Armstrong, citing insurmountable evidence that he participated in doping and misled the company for more than a decade.
The clothing and footwear company said today that it was ending Armstrong’s contract “with great sadness.”
Nike Inc. said it will continue to support the initiatives of Livestrong, a cancer nonprofit organization.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lance Armstrong is stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity so it can focus on its mission instead of its founder’s problems.
Armstrong’s announcement came minutes before Nike Inc. announced it had terminated its personal contract with him.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released a massive report last week detailing allegations of widespread doping by Armstrong and his teams when he won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
N-Y Yankees at Detroit 7:07 p.m.
San Francisco at St. Louis 3:07 p.m.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
Cleveland at Philadelphia 6:00 p.m.
Washington at Toronto 6:00 p.m.
Memphis at Houston 7:00 p.m.
Phoenix at Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Denver at Portland 9:00 p.m.
Golden State at Sacramento 9:00 p.m.
Utah at L-A Clippers 9:30 p.m.