Sports News HQ. Its a massive step in safety be

ATLANTA -- Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers no longer control their own playoff destiny.Now they need some help.Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis homered, rookie Aaron Blair had a career-high 10 strikeouts and the last-place Atlanta Braves damaged Detroits postseason hopes with a 5-3 victory Saturday night.Trying to return to the postseason after missing out last year, Detroit dropped 1 1/2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot. The Tigers (86-74) need a win Sunday and a loss by Toronto or Baltimore to avoid elimination.All year long weve played well, had a few bad stretches, came back and fought through a lot of adversity, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. Guys are obviously tired this time of the season. Were trying to find a way any way we can.The Tigers will have ace Justin Verlander on the mound Sunday. But they can only hope a potential home makeup game Monday against Cleveland would still give them an opportunity to get involved in a wild-card tiebreaker.Tomorrow comes to a must-win, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said, and theres no other pitcher wed rather have on this team than Justin Verlander on the mound.Atlanta took a 5-2 lead in the seventh on Adonis Garcias two-run single, but reliever Mauricio Cabrera loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth. Chaz Roe struck out Miguel Cabrera and got J.D. Martinez to ground into a double play.When youve got Miggy coming up with bases loaded, no outs, you know youre in a tough spot, Freeman said. But Chaz Roe did a heck of a job.Ausmus credited Braves rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson with an exceptional play on Martinezs sharp grounder.Tip your hat to Swanson, Ausmus said. He makes a great play on a line drive in the hole to his backhand and was able to turn two on it. It just wasnt happening for us.Braves closer Jim Johnson gave up a run in the ninth on Jose Iglesias infield single but retired pinch-hitter Victor Martinez to earn his 19th save in 22 chances. The Braves have won 11 of 13 heading into the last game at Turner Field.Freemans 34th homer put the Braves up 2-1 in the fourth. Markakis 13th made it 3-1 in the sixth.Blair (2-7) began the night with an 8.02 ERA but gave up four hits, two runs and one walk in five innings. He kept the Tigers off balance early with a sharp curveball, striking out five of the first six batters he faced.Detroit starter Jordan Zimmermann (9-7) allowed three hits, two runs, three walks and struck out two in four innings. In four starts since June 24, the right-hander is 0-4 with an 11.64 ERA.Zimmermann, who left Washington to sign a $110 million, five-year contract last December, has struggled with groin and upper-body injuries in his first season with the Tigers. He threw 37 pitches in the fourth, getting the third out with the bases loaded.Detroit led 1-0 in the third after Ian Kinslers RBI double and cut the lead to 3-2 in the seventh on Justin Uptons 31st homer.Blairs previous high was five strikeouts in a win at Miami on May 28.CANT THANK YOU ENOUGHThe Braves made a big point to acknowledge the man who steered their move to a new ballpark next year.Tim Lee, who lost a re-election bid in July as Cobb County Commission chairman, threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then was greeted with a handshake from every player and coach. Team executives John Schuerholz, Bill Bartholomay, Mike Plant and Derek Schiller gave him a hug.Lee secretly negotiated with the team for Cobb County to spend approximately $400 million in public money and build SunTrust Park, the Braves new home after concluding their tenure at Turner Field on Sunday.FAREWELL TO THE TEDThe Braves announced that the finale is sold out. Turner Fields capacity is 49,586.UP NEXTTigers: Verlander (16-8) leads the AL with 246 strikeouts and ranks second with a .206 opponents batting average. Hes 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, each of them at Turner Field.Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (6-10) did not get a decision in his last start, giving up 10 hits and six runs over four innings. The All-Star is 1-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 17 home starts. Ryan Kesler Jersey . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Ryan Miller Ducks Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. http://www.authenticduckspro.com/Teemu-selanne-ducks-jersey/ .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Jakob Silfverberg Jersey . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. John Gibson Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal.Nico Rosberg says the halo device would have saved lives had it been introduced to motorsport sooner. The halo unit, which is designed to provide drivers with extra head protection, was given a two-lap trial by Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen on the penultimate day of F1 testing in Barcelona.Obviously it is a slightly different view and it is a little bit limited in the front, reported Raikkonen. But there was surprisingly little difference. However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes the device may limit visibility with the former world champions planning to trial their own batmobile-style concept. We have tried it [the halo] in our simulator and we are concerned with some visibility issues on it. Safety and head protection is of crucial importance but l am not a fan of this system. I think F1 can do better than that. I think we can up something with more elegant, Horner told Sky Sports.Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg also voiced his opposition, saying: It sends the wrong message. It looks horrible. I wouldnt like to see it. Red Bull boss Christian Horner discusses the halo being used in F1 The halo is the preferred option of the FIA after the sports governing body announced they intend to introducee some form of cockpit protection.ddddddddddddIts definitely needed, Rosberg told Sky Sports News HQ. Its a massive step in safety because most of the fatalities weve had in motor racing in the last few year this would have saved the vast majority. You can say that visually it doesnt look quite as good as it does now but with some changes it can. Im all for it. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg thinks the new halo safety feature would have saved lives if it was used in previous Formula One seasons The Mercedes driver later tweeted: Massive safety improvement. It will look ok too eventually.On Twitter, former Marussia driver Max Chilton, the team-mate of Jules Bianchi when the Frenchman suffered the head injuries which were to take his life last July, responded: Couldnt agree more Nico, I am sure full helmets looked strange after wearing goggles.McLaren driver Jenson Button also added: Its doesnt look good but its for a great reason. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here Also See: Ferrari trial new halo device Watch: Christian Horner exclusive ' ' '