(KWMN)- The Winona Sports Network Daily Round-Up is the one place to get all the headlines from the sports world, and local sports world. An extension of the morning sports updates from “In the Know” with Jason Melilo on KNWO, every weekday morning at 7:00 a.m.
All Streaks Must Come to an End
The Twins ended their four-game winning streak last night, and although not very long, the fashion in which the game was lost, makes it sting a bit more. With a 6-2 lead heading into the 8th inning–thanks in large part to a stellar seven innings from Pablo Lopez on the bump, striking out eight while giving up a mere two runs–the bullpen collapsed, and allowed four runs in the eighth, and another two in the ninth. The Twins scored a run in the bottom frame of the final inning, but the damage had already been dealt. Mariners win 9-7.
It’s not like you can expect the Twins to win every game, but when losses like this occur, it stings a bit more. Especially if it comes down to the wire and–knock on wood–the team misses out on the playoffs by a game or two.
A rubber match of the three-game series will be held today from Target Field, first pitch set for 12:10 p.m., coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. only on KWNO AM 1380 FM 98.7.
A Top College Football Program Committing a Violation!? I Can’t Believe it!
Michigan Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, is staring a four-game suspension right in the face. The violations stem from having contact with recruits during the COVID dead period in college football when there was zero contact with recruits allowed. The dastardly actions of Jim Harbaugh will not go unpunished. Harbaugh was found to be buying a recruit(s) a cheeseburger during the time of the dead period. I know, I gasped as well. To buy a kid a cheeseburger ranks up there with, say, robbing a bank, if you ask me. I can’t fathom how Harbaugh thought this was okay. Nonetheless, what happened, happened, and Harbaugh will reap the discipline.
Nothing is official yet, but all reports are indicating that Harbaugh will receive a four-game suspension. The NCAA, Michigan, and Harbaugh are still negotiating the suspension. I imagine that conversation goes as follows,
NCAA: “We think you should be suspended for a season. You broke the rules and lied to us about it.”
Michigan/Harbaugh: ” Can it pleeaaaase be just four games?”
NCAA: “Good point, you got us.”
I didn’t know this was even a thing. When did there become a negotiation period when it comes to a suspension? I think the SMU football program back in the day would like a word on that matter. I digress. Assuming the four games remain, that puts Michigan in a really tough spot, they’ll be without Harbaugh for games against, East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green, and Rutgers. All of which are at the Big House in Ann Arbor, MI. Talk about laying the hammer down, no remorse from the NCAA, how will Michigan deal with these vaunted teams without their commander-in-chief? All jokes aside, I’ll tip my cap to Michigan Athletic Director, Warde Manuel. Who knew this suspension was coming, he knew it was coming early in the season, as most do, so what does he do? Puts the worst non-conference opponents he can find on the schedule, nicely done.
A Hold-In?
There was a surprise at the Minnesota Vikings training facility yesterday as all members of the team reported to training camp, including Danielle Hunter. Hunter skipped minicamp with the team earlier this summer to express his displeasure with his contract situation. He’s in the last year of his deal and will net a mere $5.5 million dollars for the season. A very low salary compared to Hunter’s level of ability. He could be there to actually practice but I am not convinced that’s the case. Ian Rapaport of NFL Network said that although he’s reporting, it doesn’t mean he’ll practice until his situation is resolved, a.k.a a hold-in. Rapaport continued to say that there are many options to getting Hunter’s situation resolved and getting him on the field.
With a defense that already struggled last season, add in that side of the ball losing a plethora of players, most of which played key parts, Hunter is a huge need. This team needs him on the field. Kevin O’Connell knows that and it’s why he seems positive the situation will get resolved, but it’s not entirely up to him. The front office will have to work with Hunter to come to a resolution. A one-year deal seems likely to me. Give him the extra salary that he’s asking for, and put the contract talks on the back burner for now. I’m sure Hunter wants a long-term deal, but this will at least pay him before talks resume in the offseason. Worst case scenario he’s not a Viking, and that would bode quite poorly for this defense.
Elsewhere in the NFL, two big contract extensions were announced yesterday. Chargers QB, Justin Herbert, signed a five-year $262.5 million contract extension that includes a no-trade clause and $133 million in guaranteed money. It was always inevitable, they just had to agree on a number. Now the pressure is on for Herbert and the Chargers to be successful late in the season. This also would imply that Joe Burrow is going to be next, as many reports surfaced that Burrow and Herbert were both trying to wait for the other to sign in order for their contract to be higher. Burrow will, one would assume at least, make more than Justin Herbert, for obvious reasons. The exact number is what we don’t know, but that’ll be found out soon enough.
The other contract announced was that of Cowboys cornerback, Trevon Diggs, who signed a five-year $97 million dollar deal that makes him the fifth highest paid corner in the league. He’s been known to have a high-risk high-reward style of playing. Often times able to take the ball away but when he doesn’t get to the ball, he gets burned. Regardless of how you view Diggs, this was something the Cowboys had to do.
Wait, I know you!
Minnesota’s only PGA event of the year will begin tomorrow at TPC Twin Cities from Blaine Minnesota. The 3M Open will be in its fourth year of its existence and this year’s field may be the best it’s seen. Justin Thomas, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, Hideki Matsuyama, Sepp Straka, Sahith Theegala, and Adam Hadwin are all amongst the golfers partaking in the event as well as returning champion, Tony Finau. The first group of golfers will tee off at 6:45 tomorrow morning.
There is quite the story coming out of the 3M Open as well. Former Gopher golfer Erik Van Rooyen was set to have his usual caddie, Alex Gaugert–Van Rooyen’s former teammate on the gopher golf team-on his bag for the tournament. That is until Gaugert Monday qualified for the event himself, meaning Van Rooyen had to find a new caddie. Of Course, Van Rooyen was stoked for his caddie, and friend, for qualifying for the event. The real cherry on top is this, groupings for the event were released on Wednesday and guess who’s paired up together? Yup, Van Rooyen and Gaugert will now be golfing together, but this time as competitors.
Be sure to tune in to “In the Know with Jason Melilo” weekday mornings at 7:00 a.m. on KWNO AM 1380 FM 98.7.
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