Sports Roundup: Isiah to Pistons?

Tigers

The Tigers and Braves played to a 10-inning scoreless tie Sunday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Victor Martinez had two hits to raise his spring average to .455.  Anibal Sanchez made his first appearance of the spring and gave up just one hit. Six other Tigers followed on the mound for the combined shutout. The Tigers play the Cardinals today in Lakeland, with Drew Smyly getting the start on the mound.

Meanwhile, the Tigers signed the last eight players on their 40-man roster, and many are figured to be on the team heading north.   Signing were right handed pitchers Melvin Mercedes and Bruce Rondon, left handed pitchers Jose Alvarez and Ian Krol, catcher Bryan Holaday, and infielders Steve Lombardozzi, Francisco Martinez and Hernan Perez.

Pistons

The Detroit Pistons host the New York Knicks tonight at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Isiah Thomas to Return to Detroit?

Rumors are flying that Joe Dumars will be out at the end of this season as Pistons’ GM and his old teammate Isiah Thomas could get the job.  Thomas will be back at the Palace later this month as the Pistons celebrate 25 years since their first championship.  Dumars’ contract is up after the season, and some reports have him taking over in Cleveland.

Dumars has fired eight coaches since 2000, and instead of drafting Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh in 2003, he took Darko Milicic.  Thomas has been drummed out of basketball since his tumultuous tenure with the Knicks, but Detroit is the one safe haven for him in the NBA.

Nascar

Kevin Harvick picked up his 24th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory by under half a second over Dale Earnhardt Junior at Sunday's The Profit on CNBC 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Brad Keselowski was third followed by Joey Logano and Jeff Gordon.  Dale Junior still holds the lead in the points standings. Keselowski is six back while Harvick is 11 behind.

Red Wings

The Red Wings travel to New Jersey to face off against the Devils tomorrow night. The Wings have won four of their last five games to move to 28-20-and-12 on the season. That's good for 68 points, and a tie for the eighth-spot in the Eastern Conference.

College Basketball

Michigan beat Minnesota and MSU was upset by Illinois over the weekend.  The Wolverines head to Champaign to play the Illini tomorrow night.  CMU hosts Toledo tomorrow as well.  MSU hosts Iowa on Thursday.

Women’s Basketball

No. 21 Michigan State wrapped up a share of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball championship with a 76-56 win over Indiana Sunday.  Aerial Powers scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Spartans tied with No. 11 Penn State.   No. 17 Nebraska lost to Purdue on Sunday to finish second.

Girls Basketball – Regionals

Athens’ Girls’ basketball team is the only local team to make it out of districts after a win over Colon in Class D.   They’ll play St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic on Tuesday at Bloomingdale High School.

Boys Basketball  -Districts

Boys Districts get underway tonight, and we’ll have Holt at Battle Creek Central on the radio….5:40pm on WBCK-FM.

Class A @ Mason – Gull Lake vs Lakeview  - 7pm

Class B @ Marshall – Pennfield  vs. Comstock  - 6pm

Delton  vs. Marshall  - 7:30pm

Class B @ Jackson Northwest – Olivet  vs. Jackson Northwest  - 7pm

Class C @ Galesburg-Augusta – Maple Valley  vs. Galesburg-Augusta  - 7pm

Class C @ Bronson – Union City  vs. Bronson  - 7:30pm

Class D @ Loy Norrix – Kalamazoo Heritage Christian  at St. Philip  - 6pm

Climax-Scotts  at Kalamazoo Phoenix  - 5:30pm

Calhoun Christian  at Martin  - 6pm

Class D @ Burr Oak – Athens  vs. Marcellus  - 7:30pm

CO Brown to Get a Facelift

C.O. Brown Stadium, the home of the Battle Creek Bombers, is set to have some renovations before this year’s season. A new scoreboard is planned to replace the one that was damaged by lightning last year. The center field fence will be moved in and lowered to make the park more hitter-friendly. There will also be new fences down the foul lines, new lighting on the field, repaving of parking areas, and repainting of certain areas. All the improvements should be completed before the Bomber’s first home game on May 29th.

Golf

Russell Henley birdied the first playoff hole to win Sunday's Honda Classic. Henley faltered late and carded a two-over 72 in the final round, but won the four-way playoff.  Rory McIlroy, Ryan Palmer and Russell Knox were also tied for second with McIlroy after losing in the playoff.  Tiger Woods withdrew 13 holes into the final round, citing back spasms.

LPGA

LPGA golfer Paula Creamer wins the HSBC Women's Championship yesterday in Singapore, with a miracle 75-foot putt for an eagle on the 18th from a pretty bad spot at the top of a hill . . . She beat Azahara Munoz for the win.