Cougars lose in nail-biter:
APPLETON, Wis. — The Kane County Cougars (21-21) dropped a 7-6 nail-biter to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (21-22) Sunday at Fox Cities Stadium. The game featured four lead changes and ended with Trevor Mitsui nearly tying the game with a flyball to deep center field. The Cougars took their second lead of the game in the sixth inning, after connecting on their second set of back-to-back RBI triples. Wisconsin came right back with the advantage in the bottom of the sixth as Luis Aviles launched a 2-run homer over the left-field wall for a 7-6 Wisconsin lead and eventually the game.
Boomers get swept by Joliet:
The Schaumburg Boomers allowed 6 runs in the second inning Sunday in a 6-3 loss to the Windy City ThunderBolts to cap the first home series of the season. Schaumburg finished with 10 hits. Robinson had 3 for a second straight game. Josh Gardiner and Dean each collected a pair of hits, with Gardiner, signed Friday, reaching three times. Mabry suffered the loss, working 6 innings with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. The Boomers have lost a franchise-record seven straight games. All nine games to open the season have been decided by 3 runs or fewer.
Blue Jays manager Gibbons ejected again:
MINNEAPOLIS — Toronto manager John Gibbons was ejected from the Blue Jays’ game against Minnesota on Sunday, the fourth time he was tossed this season. A day after Toronto’s Josh Donaldson was ejected by umpire Toby Basner in the first inning, Gibbons got the early exit from crew chief Joe West in the fifth. Donaldson homered in the first inning Sunday and stared at the Twins’ dugout as he crossed home plate. Minnesota starter Phil Hughes,threw two pitches to the AL MVP in the fifth, one inside and one behind him. Donaldson expressed his displeasure to plate umpire Mark Ripperger. Gibbons came out of the dugout and argued with Ripperger and West, who came in from his spot at first base, then was tossed. Toronto starter Marcus Stroman hit Kurt Suzuki with a pitch in the bottom of the inning.
Jones suspended, Casey fined for Game 3 actions:
NEW YORK — Cleveland’s Dahntay Jones has been suspended for one game by the NBA for striking Toronto’s Bismack Biyombo in the groin. The league also fined Raptors coach Dwane Casey $25,000 on Sunday for his criticisms of the officiating. Biyombo remained on his knees on the court after time expired in Game 3 on Saturday after Jones hit him with 17.6 seconds remaining. The reserve will miss Game 4 of the series Monday. Casey’s comments, including his belief that Biyombo isn’t getting enough calls, came in his postgame news conference following the Raptors’ win.
Watt gets personal logo:
Three-time NFL defensive player of the year J.J. Watt unveiled a new logo Sunday night. The logo, which will be used for his Reebok campaign, looks like “JJ,” or a “W,” but if it’s turned upside down, it looks like “99,” which is his jersey number. The logo also is designed to look like rising buildings, built from the bottom up, a metaphor for his work ethic who was a walk-on before getting a scholarship at the University of Wisconsin.