Sports Roundup: Nathan Blows it….again!

Tigers
It was a brilliant pitching duel last night in Detroit….Anibal Sanchez versus the Blue Jays’ Drew Hutchinson.  And once again the effort by Sanchez was erased when closer Joe Nathan failed in the 9^th.  Sanchez went 7 innings, giving up no runs, no walks, two hits and struck out 5.    Hutchinson matched his performance.   Joba Chamberlain mowed down the Jays in the 8th   But in the 9^th, Nathan gave up two hits, two walks and 4 runs.  Nathan had a chance to pitch out of a jam, but shortstop Andrew Romine’s mental lapse cost them a chance for a double play. Nathan’s earned run average is 6.86.  The Tigers’ J.D. Martinez gave the fans that stayed something to cheer about in the 9^th.   After two walks he hit a home run to make it 5-3. Victor Martinez had half of the Tigers’ 4 hits. Sanchez was brilliant in his last start, only to have Nathan blow the save.  Rick Porcello starts for Detroit tonight.   6:40 on WBCK-FM.

Pistons Hire GM

The Detroit Pistons have named Jeff Bower as the team's general manager. Bower was GM of the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets from 2001-03 and again from 2005-10. He was responsible for drafting Baron Davis, Jamaal Magloire, David West and Chris Paul and helped lead the Hornets to four playoff appearances.  Last season he was the head coach as Marist College and began his basketball career as an assistant coach at Penn State University in 1983. Bower said he's excited to join the Pistons organization and is looking forward to working with new head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy.

Bombers win

The Battle Creek Bombers made it two straight wins of Wisconsin Rapids, winning 7-3 on Education day.    3,347 fans were at the park, most of them students who cheered on the Bombers in a late-morning game.   Kyle Slack, back for his second season with the Bombers, picked up the win, allowing one earned run in six innings and striking out seven.

The Bombers’ home stand continues Wednesday and Thursday as the Waterloo Bucks come into town.

Girls’ Soccer

The Marshall girls’ soccer team saw their season end with a 1-0 loss in the Division 3 regional semifinal versus Williamston at Spring Arbor College. Despite the loss, Marshall has won a school record four straight District Titles.

Gull Lake plays today against Stevensville-Lakeshore.

NHL Playoffs

It’ll be a coast to coast Stanley Cup series:  New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings.  Game 1 is tonight in LA. New York is seeking its first championship since 1993-94, while the Kings took the Cup two years ago.  New York Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo's suspension was reduced from 10 games to six by the NHL on Tuesday, meaning he will be eligible to play in the Stanley Cup Finals against Los Angeles. Carcillo received the ban for hitting linesman Scott Driscoll in the face with his forearm during a scrum in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against Montreal.  Carcillo has served three games of the suspension already and is eligible to return for Game 4 on June 11 in New York.

NBA Playoffs

Game 1 of the NBA playoffs is tomorrow, as the Miami Heat travel to San Antonio.

Saban gets Contract

Alabama has signed coach Nick Saban to a new eight-year, 55.2-million-dollar deal.  That’s a pretty good raise for college football’s highest-paid coach.  Sabin won't owe a buyout if he leaves for another head coaching job. The 62-year-old has led the Crimson Tide to three national championships and an average of 12 wins over the last six seasons. Sabin is now under contract through January of 2022. He has also coached at Toledo, Michigan State and LSU.

Lions Practice

The Detroit Lions continue organized team activities in Allen Park. Yesterday, wide receiver Ryan Broyles said he's feeling good as he continues to recover from a leg injury and that he's looking to training camp to make an impression on the new coaching staff and compete for a roster spot.

Seven players were held out of drills yesterday, including receiver Golden Tate, tight end Joseph Fauria, defensive end Ziggy Ansah and linebacker Kyle Van Noy.  Defensive tackle Nick Fairley, safety Glover Quin and cornerback Chris Greenwood were limited in practice.

NASCAR driver Joey Logano attended practice to promote next week’s race at Michigan International Speedway. After the practice, he tossed the football with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Logano said drivers are like quarterbacks and a crew chief is like a coach.  The 6-foot-3, 175-pound driver was asked what position he’d play if he was a football player.   Logano said,  “I’d be on the bench.”

Lions won’t pick up Fairley’s Option

Lion’s defensive tackle Nick Fairley’s $5.5 million dollar option for a fifth year won’t be picked up by the team.  Fairley confirmed that with reporters Wednesday, and says it’ll be good for him and the team.  Fairley continues to battle his weight and says the team’s decision will be good motivation for him to improve.  He says he’s changing his eating habits and has lost 30 pounds.

Golf Card

You can check out seven of the area's finest golf courses for half price!  The WBCK Golf Card gets you a $135 value in green's fees for just $59 bucks!  Pretty good deal for Dad, a birthday, or just a way to get out and enjoy yourself without breaking the bank!   Go to wbck fm dot com and pick one up today!  But hurry. There’s a limited number available.  Get ‘em while you can.

Battle Creek Coyotes Home Opener Saturday

The Battle Creek have their home opener Saturday at Harper Creek against the Indiana Cardinals.  Longtime fan Ron Ludwa will be the beneficiary for the home opener.

Soccer

The U.S. plays Nigeria in Jacksonville on Saturday for their final send off before the World Cup.

High School Baseball

High School Baseball Regionals this weekend:

Harper Creek plays Carleton Airport at Chelsea High School.

Lakeview plays Howell at Holt.

Gull Lake travels to Otsego to play Stevensville-Lakeshore.

Union City will take on Decatur at Bronson.

Olivet plays Grand Rapids West Catholic.

Softball

Harper Creek plays Carleton Airport at Chelsea High School.

Gull Lake plays Stevensville Lakeshore.

BC to Host Symetra Tour Event this Weekend

Battle Creek Country Club hosts the Fire Keepers Casino Hotel Golf Championship, a Symetra Tour event this weekend.  The tour is called the Road to the LPGA and will have an opening field of 144 female players from around the world.   The tourney will have a purse of $100,000. The top 10 money winners at season’s end on the Symetra Tour will gain their LPGA Tour cards for 2015.  One of the event’s two “exemption” players will be Lakeview grad Grace Labrecque, who just finished her junior year at CMU and Gabrielle Shipley, a standout at Hastings High who is now at Grand Valley State.