8/4/23 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Friday
4 August 2023 Sports
From Wayne Mausser
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy is named as a defendant in new lawsuits filed against Northwestern University.
According to ESPN, Murphy, who was the athletic director at Northwestern from 2003-2007 before joining the Packers, is named by 2 of the 4 former players who filed the lawsuits on Thursday, alleging hazing within the football program. The suits allege negligence on Murphy’s part for failing to prevent the hazing.
As in previous suits against the school, these players allege hazing, sexual abuse and racial discrimination. The two players who named Murphy played at the school from 2004-2008. CBS Chicago reports the lawsuits include allegations that Black players were forced to engage in watermelon eating contests.
Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired in July after the first allegations of hazing came to light. Since then, 13 former players have filed lawsuits against the school, according to ESPN.
Through a Packers spokesperson, Murphy declined comment. Murphy was hired as the Packers President and CEO on December 3rd, 2007.
The Milwaukee Brewers moved back into the NL Central lead with their best hitting performance of the season — and some help from the Cubs.
Brice Turang and Sal Frelick hit three-run homers in consecutive innings and the Milwaukee Brewers continued Mitch Keller’s second-half skid in a 14-1 blowout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night. The Brewers had their largest run total and most-lopsided victory since a 19-2 triumph over the Pirates on July 1, 2022.
Milwaukee’s victory and Cincinnati’s 5-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs enabled the Brewers to move a half-game ahead of the Reds in the NL Central standings. The Cubs are 2 1/2 games back.
Frelick’s homer in the sixth highlighted a night in which he also hit a two-run double and drew a pair of walks. The five RBIs surpassed his total of four in his previous 11 major league games.
Turang went 3 for 5 and scored two runs in his first game since switching his uniform number from 0 to 2, which he had worn most of his way through the minor leagues. His 414-foot drive into the second deck of the right-field stands in the fifth inning extended the Brewers’ lead to 8-1.
Turang has gone 11 of 26 over his last eight games to improve his batting average from .198 to .221. The rookie second baseman’s hitting struggles caused him to get sent back to the minors at one point this season.
Turang’s number change followed the Brewers’ Tuesday afternoon trade of infielder Luis Urías to the Boston Red Sox. Although Urías was in the minors at the time of the trade, he had worn No. 2 while playing 330 games for the Brewers from 2020-23.
Frelick and Turang had plenty of help.
Christian Yelich went 3 of 4 with two RBIs. William Contreras was 2 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs. Joey Wiemer went 2 of 3 with a pair of walks, two runs and an RBI.
The Brewers did much of their damage against Keller, the Pirates’ lone All-Star selection this year. Keller (9-8) gave up eight runs over five innings and allowed the Turang homer on a first-pitch cutter.
At the All-Star break, Keller owned a 9-4 record and 3.31 ERA. He has gone 0-4 with a 9.97 ERA in four starts since.
Frelick’s homer came off José Hernández.
Pittsburgh actually scored first before getting blown out.
Alfonso Rivas, making his Pirates debut two nights after they acquired him from San Diego, opened the game with a walk and eventually scored from third when Jack Suwinski hit into a fielder’s choice.
The Brewers pulled ahead in the bottom of the first on Frelick’s two-run double to left center. The Brewers added three runs each in the second, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Brewers starter Adrian Houser (4-3) struck out five and allowed four hits, two walks and one run in six innings.
Tonight Pittsburgh RHP Quinn Priester (2-1, 9.19) ERA is set to start against RHP Colin Rea (5-4, 4.76). First pitch is at 7:10.
Meanwhile, RHP Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) has been on the injured list since April 11 but could be on the verge of returning Counsell said Woodruff is on track to start Sunday’s game against the Pirates.
Elsewhere in the NL Central on Thursday the Cubs beat the Reds 5-3 and the Twins downed the Cardinals 5-3. The Brewers lead the Reds by a half-game and the Cubs are 2 ½ out.
In the Midwest League Thursday night the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were pounded on the road by South Bend, 13-4. They play again tonight with the first pitch at 6:05.
In the Northwood’s League the Rafters beat the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders 7-6 as they rallied for four runs in the ninth to win it. The Dock Spiders dropped to third place in the standings. The Dock Spiders will be back at home on Friday night as they take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. First pitch is at 6:35.
The NFL preseason kicked off last night with the Hall of Fame game as the Browns beat the Jets 21-16. Cleveland rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson led the Browns on a pair of second-half touchdown drives to give Cleveland a come-from-behind win.
Tomorrow night is Family Night at Lambeau Field as fans get a chance to see the team practice. For some fans it may be their only opportunity to see the team this season. Coach Matt LaFleur said he loves Family Night and says it gives his players a great opportunity to experience the fans and get somewhat of a game-type experience.
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