Sports: Jays and Royals Advance

Baseball

The American League Championship Series is set. The Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals captured Game Five wins in their respective AL Division Series on Wednesday. Jose Bautista snapped a 3-all tie with a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to push the Jays to a 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers in Toronto. The Jays became only the third team in MLB history to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games on their home field.  The game was marred by an 18 minute delay after the Toronto fans reacted negatively to a call on the field, and threw beer cans and other debris on the field.

Kendrys Morales clubbed a three-run homer in the eighth to put the exclamation point on Kansas City's 7-2 win over the Houston Astros. The Royals will host the Blue Jays in the opener of the best-of-seven ALCS on Friday.

The Mets and Dodgers play a win-or-go-home game tonight.   The winner plays the Cubs on Saturday.

Pistons

The Pistons notched their second win of the preseason with a 114-91 victory over the Bulls Wednesday night in Chicago. Reggie Jackson led Detroit with 20 points, Reggie Bullock and Marcus Morris each contributed 17 points and Andre Drummond had 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Pistons wrap up their four-game preseason road trip against the Spurs in San Antonio Sunday.

Red Wings

The Red Wings host the Carolina Hurricanes Friday night at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit is 3-0. Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser was back at practice Wednesday and could make his season debut Saturday in Montreal. DeKeyser suffered a foot injury in a preseason game late last month, and at the time, doctors believed he could miss up to four weeks but say he’s responded well to treatments. Center Darren Helm, who is recovering from a concussion, could also play for the first time this year on Saturday. Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill did not have an update on forward Johan Franzen. Franzen was a late scratch against Tampa Bay on Tuesday because of illness.

Thursday Night Football

The unbeaten Atlanta Falcons face the 1-4 New Orleans Saints at the Superdome.

Lions

The Lions are back on the practice field as they get ready to take on the Chicago Bears Sunday at Ford Field.  Running back Joique Bell, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his Achilles and ankle, and tight end Eric Ebron, with a knee injury, both returned to practice yesterday. Guard Larry Warford also took part in drills after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.  Tackle LaAdrian Waddle, with a knee injury, was limited in practice yesterday while defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was sidelined with a calf issue. Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy will undergo surgery on his hip and could be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

New Team in Northwood’s League

The Northwoods League says a franchise has been awarded to Rockford Illinois for this upcoming baseball season. Rockford will compete against the Battle Creek Bombers in the South Division.   LaCrosse will move to the North division. The Alexandria Blue Anchors are no more.

College Football

#12 Michigan will host #7 Michigan State this Saturday.

WMU

Western Michigan plays at Ohio U this Saturday at noon.   The Bobcats are 5-1. WMU is 2-3.

Volleyball

Lakeview 3, Loy Norrix 0. Sidney Schiller had 15 kills and 10 digs.

Pennfield 3, Jackson Northwest 0. Alexa Stephenson had 11 kills.

Marshall beat Charlotte 3-0.   Emily Delmotte and Nikki Tucker leading the Redhawks.

Harper Creek 3, Parma Western 0. Charley Andrews had 18 kills.   Katie Wade with 41 assists.

Kalamazoo Central 3, Gull Lake 2.

High School Football

Harper Creek vs. #9 Marshall….6:35 Friday on WBCK.

Battle Creek Central vs. Portage Northern

Lakeview vs. St. Joseph

Jackson Lumen Christi vs. Pennfield

#3 St. Philip vs. Portland St. Patrick

Athens vs. Reading

Bellevue vs. Pittsford

Bronson vs. Cassopolis

#5 Climax-Scotts vs. Spring Lake

Saugatuck vs. Delton

Galesburg-Augusta vs. Martin

Niles vs. Gull Lake

Hastings vs. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills

Union City vs. Homer

Portland vs. Olivet

Concord vs. Quincy

St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran vs. Tekonsha - 8-Man Football

College Basketball

Michigan and Michigan State both landed a senior guard on the Big Ten's preseason all-conference team announced on Wednesday afternoon. Wolverines guard Caris LeVert and Spartans guard Denzel Valentine were both named to the conference's 10-player preseason all-conference team. The preseason team is voted on by a panel of media members. Valentine was a unanimous selection by the panel. This marks the second straight year LeVert has been a preseason all-conference selection.