Five Things For July 3rd: Tigers Sweep

1. Verlander Pitches Well As Tigers Sweep The A's:

The Tigers completed a 3 game sweep of the Oakland A's winning 9-3.  After allowing 2 home runs in the first, Verlander settled down and pitched 6 innings before being pulled after the 6th inning after throwing 103 pitches.  Justin had 4 strikeouts in the 6 innings he pitched with only two walks but he did allow 9 hits.  Torii Hunter had 3 RBI's as the DH yesterday.  The Tigers start a 4 game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

2. Hollins To Be Next Coach Of Nets:

After the departure of Jason Kidd, reports are that the Nets are going to have a coach.  Former Grizzlies coach Lionell Hollins has agreed to a 4 year deal, with the 4th year being a team option.  Hollins was recently the coach of Memphis Grizzlies and led them to a 50-32 record and a playoff berth.  They lost in the first round in 7 games to the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Hollins also led the Grizzlies to a 56-26 season a year ago.  The announcement is expected to come sometime after the holiday weekend.

3. Toronto Keeps Lowry:

With the buzz of free agaency in full swing, the Toronto Raptors have and Kyle Lowry have agreed to a 4 year, $48 million contract.  Many believed that Lowry was going to leave Toronto for Miami.  Lowry helped lead Toronto back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.  He averaged just under 18 points a game and 7.4 assists last season as a point guard.

4. Defending Champ Andy Murray Ousted:

Defending champion and Englishman Andy Murray lost in the quarterfinals to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.  The loss snapped Andy Murray's 17-match winning streak at Wimbledon.  Murray got swept in three sets on Centre Court.  This is Dimitrov's first semifinal at a major tournament.  The 11 seeded Dimitrov is set to face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

5. Jimmy Graham Losses Arbitration

In NFL news, the most anticipated arbitration case in the NFL, arbitrator Stephen Burbank agreed with the New Orleans Saints, Graham is considered a tight end.  As a result of this decision, Jimmy Graham is set to make $5 million less as a tight end instead of a wide receiver.  Graham lined up 67% of the times in the slot.  It is assumed that he will appeal the hearing.