Sports Roundup: Tigers face Darvish and Texas

Tigers

The Tigers were swept by the Indians in Cleveland, in one of the ugliest games you’ll ever see.  The Tigers’ Max Scherzer blew a 4-0 lead with one of his worst career starts.  He gave up 7 runs in the first three innings, but recovered to shut the Indians down through 7. The Tigers battled back to tie the game at 7 in the 5^th and went ahead 9-7 in the 8th.

But closer Joe Nathan blew the save, as David Murphy hit a two run homer to send it to extra innings. Rajai Davis threw out a guy at the plate to save the game in the 10^th.

Alex Avila put the Tigers ahead in the 13^th with a solo home run.  But Phil Coke and Al Albuquerque couldn’t hold the lead.  Coke gave up two hits and hit a guy, andAlbuquerque let in the winning run, after committing a bases-loaded balk with Ryan Rayburn at the plate. J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez hit home runs and the Tigers also got 10 walks from Indians’ pitchers.  Miguel Cabrera and manager Brad Ausmus were kicked out of the game in the sixth inning by plate umpire Tim Timmons, over a couple of check-swing strikes.

The Tigers head home to play the Texas Rangers tonight, facing the Rangers’ ace, Yu Darvish.   Rookie Robbie Ray pitches forDetroit.  Prince Fielder, traded in the off season for Ian Kinsler, will stay inTexasto see a spine specialist.  Kinsler had some off season comments about the Rangers’ management that could make for an interesting reunion.  Broadcast time is 6:45 on WBCK-FM.

NBA Playoffs

San Antoniotook a 2-0 lead in the series withOklahoma City, winning 112-77.  Tony Parker led the way with 22 points and Danny Green added 21 on seven 3-pointers.  The Miami Heat and the Pacers play Game 3 is Saturday inMiami. Indiana's Paul George suffered a concussion in Tuesday night's playoff loss toMiamiand his status for the rest of the series is up in the air. George will have to undergo NBA-mandated testing before he's cleared to play again.

NHL Playoffs

The Kings beat the Blackhawks inChicago6-2 to even the series.  Jeff Carter scored three ofLos Angeles' six straight goals. The Rangers lead the best-of-seven series two games to none overMontreal. Game three heads toNew Yorktonight.

Boys Golf

2^nd Ranked Marshall won its second straight district crown Wednesday at Marshall Country Club to advance to the D-2 Regional a week from Friday at Mason.   Aaron McCoy shot a 75 forMarshall.  Harper Creek freshman Alex Johnson and sophomore Luke Browne also made regionals as top-six individuals not on qualifying teams.  Lakeview captured its sixth straight district championship at Milham and advance to a D-1 regional next Thursday at, also atEl Dorado in Mason. Andrew Walker was medalist with a 70.GullLake advanced to regionals in D-2 at Indian Run.   Delton Kellogg andMapleValley advanced to regionals in D-3 and St. Philip and Homer advanced as well.

Girls’ Soccer

Coldwater beat Harper Creek 3-2 in OT.

Mattawan 2, Lakeview 1.

Loy Norrix 4, Marshall 1.

Division 2 second-rankedGullLakegirls’ soccer team won the Big 16 Gold Tournament championship on Wednesday.

The 17-1-1 Blue Devils beat fourth-ranked Stevensville-Lakeshore 2-1.  Hannah Phommavongsa had both goals forGullLake, and Maggie Harma made five saves in goal.

Baseball

Bellevuewith a sweep overColon, 8-2 and 10-3.  Cole Madry had a good game with the bat. Bryce Dolph and Dalton Burdick with the pitching wins.

Homer swept Springport, 13-2 and 10-0.

Softball

Jackson Northwest with a sweep over Pennfield, 15-7 and 12-7.

Climax-Scotts took two at Pittsford, 6-4 and 11-3.  Lydia Swager with the game winning hit in game 1.

Lions Tate Misses Practice

Lions’ new wide receiver Golden Tate wasn’t at team workouts on Wednesday …for a good reason.  He was with his former team at the White House.

President Obama welcomed the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, giving them special recognition as the NFL underdogs who made it all the way to claim the Super Bowl championship. And in lieu of the customary jersey for the commander-in-chief, the team brought the President a large "twelfth man" flag instead.  It's the Seahawks' first Super Bowl win and their first trip to the White House -- they beat the Denver Broncos 43 to 8.

The Lions’ Nick Fairley, Joique Bell, Chris Houston and Ziggy Ansah also did not take part in Wednesday drills.  Tight end Michael Williams is being converted to offensive tackle. He says it’s something that has been talked about for awhile and he feels the move can prolong his NFL career.

Lacrosse

Pennfield will advance to today’s regional contest at No. 3-seeded Notre Dame Prep.

MSU Player Leaves

MichiganStateguard Russell Byrd is leaving the program to transfer.  The Spartans confirmed Wednesday that the 6-foot-7 Byrd is transferring to the Master's College, an NAIA school in theLos Angelesarea. Byrd averaged 7.3 minutes last season.  In his three seasons atMichiganState, Byrd scored 1.4 points per game, mostly from 3-point range.

Tigers Reed’s Case to be Reviewed by Prosecutors

Prosecutors inDetroitsay they plan to review a request for charges against Detroit Tigers pitcher Evan Reed following a sexual assault complaint.  TheWayneCountyprosecutor's office says it has received a warrant request and a charging decision isn't expected this week.  The prosecutor's office didn't release the player's name, but said the alleged assault took place March 30 at Motor City Casino Hotel inDetroit.   In April, The Associated Press and others reported 28-year-old Tigers right-hander Evan Reed was facing a sexual assault complaint.       A statement Wednesday from David Gorcyca, Reed's attorney, says Reed has fully cooperated with investigators. The statement says they're confident the case "will be closed" after a review from prosecutors.

Silverdome Auction on Hold

An auction of thousands of items housed inside the rundown Pontiac Silverdome has been put on hold.   The online sell-off had been scheduled to get underway on Wednesday.

But auction house RJM posted a message on its website that reads: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, this auction has been postponed for approximately three weeks."    Among the items available are pretzel warmers, a boxing ring, a Zamboni turf machine, flat-screen televisions and scoreboards.

Wrigley Field Plans to Move Forward

The owners of the Chicago Cubs say they're moving forward with plans to renovate and expand Wrigley Field, despite the threat of lawsuits by the owners of neighboring rooftop venues. They plan several new outfield signs and additional bleacher seats. The rooftop businesses say the installation of a giant video board and electronic signs may obstruct views of the field from their venues.