Sports Roundup: Scherzer Dominates Astros, 2-0

Tigers

The Tigers beat Houston 2-0 to start their 7-game home stand.  It was a pitching duel between Max Scherzer and the Astros’ Jarred Cosart.  The Tigers finally broke a scoreless tie in the 7^th, after an error, a walk and a bunt, and a Rajai Davis single.  Max Scherzer went 8 innings, giving up no runs on three hits and struck out 9, with the final strikeout getting him out of trouble in the 8^th.  Joe Nathan picked up his sixth save of the season.  Victor Martinez hit a solo home run in the eighth inning and did something he hadn’t done since last May:  He took a call third strike in the 1^st off Houston starter Jarred Cosart.  Torii Hunter was the only Tiger to have two hits.  The Tigers managed only 6.  Pitcher Robbie Ray makes his MLB debut tonight for Detroit in place of the injured Anibal Sanchez. Broadcast time is 6:40 on WBCK-FM.

Tiger Moves

To make room for Robbie Ray on the Tigers 40-man roster, they out righted first baseman Jordan Lennerton to Toledo, and they sent Jose Ortega down to the minors to make room for him on the active roster.  Tiger’s reliever Luke Putkonen is expected to report to Class-A West Michigan tomorrow to begin a rehab assignment. Putkonen has been out of the lineup since April 18th with inflammation in his elbow. If all goes well tomorrow, the reliever will probably pitch with the Toledo Mud Hens Friday before his return to the Tigers.

NHL Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a 2-0 win over the Rangers in New York to grab a 2-1 series advantage.  In Anaheim, the Kings dropped the Ducks 3-1 to get a 2-0 series lead. Tonight, the Boston Bruins travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens in Game Three. Each team won a game in Boston.  The Minnesota Wild hosts the Chicago Blackhawks, down 2-0.

NBA Playoffs

The Wizards took care of the Pacers, 102-96, in Game One of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.  The Clippers demolished the Thunder, 122-105, in Oklahoma City.  Chris Paul posted 32 points and 10 assists as the Los Angeles jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Tonight, the Brooklyn Nets take on the Heat in Game One at Miami.  The Nets took all four regular season games from the Heat.   The Spurs host the Trail Blazers to open up their Western Conference semifinal series.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams is the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

Harper Creek alum nearly dies

Western Michigan University freshman Josh Bass is on the mend after battling for his life.  The Harper Creek graduate tore a muscle in his hip, which created a near-fatal staph infection.  Bass was put on a ventilator, induced into a coma, put on dialysis and had four surgeries to successfully remove dead tissue.  Bass, a guard for the WMU football team, is home and walking on his own again, and hopes to resume playing football.   The 19 year old finance major was a week away from finishing the semester.  His mom and girlfriend had to move his stuff out of the dorms.

High School Golf

Marshall won the SMAC East Jamboree No. 3. Coldwater was second, followed by the Lakeview ‘B’ team and Harper Creek.  Marshall’s A.J. McCoy took home medalist honors with a 37.

The Lakeview ‘A’ team finished 11th in the 22-team field at Oakland Hills Country Club.

Softball

Harper Creek lost to Otsego 5-4 in game one, but came back to win the nightcap 16-0.

Mendon swept Lakeview.

Pennfield swept Marshal, 8-1 and 14-3.  Alexa Stevenson with the game one complete-game win with 11 strikeouts.  Shelby Miller went 7 for 8 on the day.

Athens swept Tekonsha.

Baseball

Harper Creek split with Otsego, winning 14-4 and losing 7-5.  Jason Mueller had a home run and 4 runs knocked in in game 2.

Pennfield split a pair with Marshall, winning 3-2 and losing to the Redhawks 6-5.

Caleb Pizarro earned the complete-game win for Pennfield.  Marshall’s John Dorosh got the win in relief and had two hits.

Homer shutout St. Phillip in both games, 6-0 and 8-0.

Athens swept Tekonsha, 14-1 and 16-6.

GIRLS' SOCCER

Gull Lake 2, Lakeview 0.

Loy Norrix 4, Marshall 0

Kalamazoo Christian 3, Pennfield 1

Lions

The first round of the NFL draft will take place in New York next Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and rounds four through seven on Saturday. The Detroit Lions pick 10th overall in the first round. They have eight selections in all.

The Detroit Lions are not looking to trade defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to move up in the draft. GM Martin Mayhew says they have no plans to trade Suh, who in the final year of his contract.  Suh and the Lions are trying to work out an extension.

Battle Creek Coyotes Start Saturday

A new era in minor league football in Battle Creek starts Saturday.  The Battle Creek Coyotes will host the Lake Michigan Havoc in the first preseason action of the 2014 season. Kickoff is 6:30pm at Harper Creek High School. To welcome fans to Coyote Football, the team is offering free admission, however donations are encouraged.