Sports Roundup: Tigers come back!

Tigers

Justin Verlander and the Tigers were slammed with a 5-run Dodger first inning last night at Comerica Park.  But the Tigers came right back with 5 of their own in the second.  Verlander pitched 5 shutout innings after the first for the win….a 14-5 win and Verlander’s 8^th of the season.  Five Tigers had three hits, as the team tallied 20 hits on the night against Dodger pitching. Max Scherzer goes for his 11^th win on Wednesday afternoon.   The Tigers won’t have to face Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw.  On Thursday, the Tigers head to Kansas City for four games before the All-Star Break.

All-Star Final Picks

At this point, Rick Porcello is not on track to make the American League All-Star team based on the final vote.
Porcello is third in the standings in the final vote, behind the White Sox Chris Sale and Angels Garrett Richards.  Fans can vote for one of five players to make the All-Star team in both the American League and National League.

The Tigers and Cubs are asking fans to vote for Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello and Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo for the All-Star Game Final Vote.   You can vote at www.tigers.com/vote  but the easiest way is to text “A3” for Porcello and “N4” for Rizzo to 89269.  You can vote as many times as you want to until 4 p.m. Thursday.

Dirks Back on the Field

Outfielder Andy Dirks has started his rehab assignment with Class-A Lakeland.  Dirks, who had been sidelined since he had back surgery in March, went one-for-three at the plate yesterday for the Flying Tigers. He is expected to stay with Lakeland for at least the next week before eventually moving up to Triple-A Toledo. Dirks' return to the Tigers lineup has been delayed because of some discomfort he's had and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand says he will be evaluated daily.

Bombers

The Bombers lost to the Lakeshore Chinooks 11-5. The Bombers outhit Lakeshore 9-8 and even had fewer errors, but fell 6 runs short of the win. Matthew Rhodes was tagged with the loss in relief, after giving up 6 runs in just over an inning of work.  The Bombers play at the Chinooks again tonight and then head to Green Bay for games tomorrow and Friday.   They land back home on Saturday to play the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

Pistons

The Pistons beat Miami 80-78 in the Orlando Summer League Tuesday.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's triple with 6.6 seconds left lifted the Pistons to 3-0 in summer-league play.  He scored 26 points.   Today, the Pistons tip off against the Boston Celtics.

LeBron

LeBron James is narrowing his options in free agency down to two. Reports say James will either re-sign with the Miami Heat, or return to Cleveland to join the Cavaliers.

Coyotes Play This Saturday

The Battle Creek Coyotes Football team takes on the Allen County Lions at Harper Creek High School on Saturday. Kickoff is at 6:30.  Little 4-year old Nattaly Marie Brown will be the beneficiary for the game.   She’s being treated for cancer at Bronson Pediatric Oncology Unit in Kalamazoo.  Proceeds from the gate admissions, donation jars, and 50/50 raffle will help Nattaly and her family with their battle against cancer.

World Cup

The World Cup final is partially set for Sunday, and the local fans in Brazil won’t have much to cheer about.    On Tuesday, they had nothing to cheer about as Germany pounded the host team 7-1 in a match that wasn’t as close as the score indicates.  Today, the Netherlands plays Argentina.  The winner plays Germany for the Championship on Sunday.