Sports: Tigers Lose 6-2

The Tigers lost to the Twins 6-to-2 last night in Detroit.  Kyle Lobstein gave up six runs in two-and-one-third innings to take the loss for the Tigers.

Nick Castellanos was 2-for-4 with an RBI as Detroit continued to struggle to score runs. The Twins’ Ricky Nolasco struck out 7 Tigers in just over 5 innings for the win. J.D. Martinez left the game in the sixth inning with back tightness and team officials have listed him as day-to-day. It’s a day game today at Comerica Park.  Anibal Sanchez will take the mound for Detroit, as David Price recovers from a muscle pull.  Broadcast time is 12:40 p.m. on WBCK.

Tigers catcher Alex Avila injury update
Tigers catcher Alex Avila found out yesterday that he will not need surgery on his injured left knee after a third opinion. Avila instead will rest it and then go through a rehabilitation process that he believes will have him back on the field sooner than would have been the case had he had surgery.

NHL

The New York Rangers are into the Eastern Conference Finals. Derek Stepan beat Braden Holtby at 11:24 of overtime lifting the Rangers to a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of their semifinal series at Madison Square Garden. The Blueshirts will host the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the East Finals on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks will battle the Anaheim Ducks in Game One of the West Finals on Sunday.

Griffins Lose

The Grand Rapids Griffins lost the Rockford IceHogs 4-to-1 last night in game-three of the Calder Cup Western semifinals in Rockford.  Teemu Pulkkinen scored the lone goal for Grand Rapids, his 12th of the postseason. The Griffins, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, will remain in Rockford to play Game 4 tonight at 8 p.m.

NBA

The two number-one seeds in each conference took back control of their respective series Wednesday night.   The Atlanta Hawks got by the Washington Wizards in Game Five, 82-81. Al Horford clinched the win on a putback with 1.9 seconds left. Atlanta tries to close out the Eastern Conference semifinals series on Friday in Game Six from DC.   The Golden State Warriors dominated the Memphis Grizzlies, 98-78, in Oakland on the way to a 3-2 lead.   Game Six of the West semis is Friday at FedExForum.   Tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers try to close out the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Game Six. The Los Angeles Clippers will try to do the same at home versus the Houston Rockets in Game Six.

Lions Signings

The Detroit Lions have signed second round pick running back Ameer Abdullah to a four-year rookie contract yesterday. First-round selection offensive guard Laken Tomlinson is the last draft pick that has not been signed by the Lions.  The Lions also made deals with two veterans yesterday, signing receiver Greg Salas and cornerback Chris Owens.

More Wolverines Football News

Michigan Wolverines associate athletic director of football Jim Minick is suspended indefinitely after being arrested for suspicion of drunk driving early Saturday morning. Minick was involved in a single-vehicle crash and refused an on-site breathalyzer test.

Michigan cornerback Blake Countess is leaving the team, two days after Michigan formally announced the addition of Stanford cornerback Wayne Lyons, who is expected to compete for a starting job opposite presumed starter Jourdan Lewis this fall.

Michigan kick returner Dennis Norfleet was not dismissed by Coach Harbaugh as widely reported, but suspended due to academic concerns.

KCC Baseball

The KCC baseball team got a 3-1 victory over Muskegon Community College in Wednesday's first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII tournament at C.O. Brown Stadium.  Bruins' starting pitcher Tyler Bradner threw seven shutout innings, giving up just two hits and striking out 11.  KCC plays Macomb Community College at 11:30 a.m. as part of the double-elimination tournament that runs through Saturday in Battle Creek.

Baseball

Marshall split with Jackson Northwest.  Scott Reagle picked up the game one win in relief and went 2-for-4 at the plate.

Softball

Jackson Northwest swept Marshall.

Jonesville beat Athens twice.

Bellevue swept Maple Valley.

Boys Golf

The Lakeview boys' golf team wrapped up a SMAC East title Wednesday at Milham Park. Lakeview was led by Andrew Walker with a 1-under par 34.

Girls’ Soccer

Marshall 4, Harper Creek 0.  Marshall’s girls’ soccer team won the Interstate Eight Conference championship with their 9^th straight win.  Abbie Hershock had two goals.

Olivet 8, Maple Valley 0.  Kylie Falk had three goals and two assists.

Boys Track

Marshall beat Pennfield 135-19.