Sports: Tigers Pound Astros 14-6

The Tigers used a 7-run second inning to power over the Houston Astros by a score of 14-6.  Matt Boyd started for the Tigers, working the first 5 innings, giving up three runs on four hits and striking out 6.   The Tigers had 3-run homers from Tyler Collins and Justin Upton and a solo shot by James McCann.  Cameron Maybin was back in center field and had three hits. The Tigers had 16 hits off Astros pitching. Justin Verlander pitches for the Tigers tonight.   Broadcast time is 6:45 on WBCK.

Tigers on the Mend

­­Jordan Zimmerman will made his second rehab start for Toledo Friday night, pitching 4 innings.  He gave up six hits, but only one earned run and a couple of walks.  He could rejoin the Tigers soon after being out with a neck injury.   Right-fielder J.D. Martinez started his third rehab game for the Mud Hens at DH, going one for three before rains came in the 6^th inning.   Martinez has been out with a broken elbow. So far, Martinez has not played in the outfield.  Daniel Norris started for the Double A Erie Sea Wolves, and went 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and struck out 7 for the win. He said it’s the best he’s felt since straining a side muscle.

Trade Deadline

Monday at 4pm is baseball’s trade deadline.   It’s looking more and more like the Tigers will stand pat, hoping to get some injured players back.

Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers fell 6-5 to the Kenosha Kingfish Friday night at C.O. Brown Stadium, splitting the two-game series.  Cody Puckett took the loss in the game, his second of the year. He allowed six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings.  The Bombers now welcome the Wisconsin Woodchucks to Battle Creek for a two-game stint starting tonight at 6:05.

Lions

The Lions have signed cornerback Darius Slay to a 4-year, 50.2 million dollar contract extension. Star linebacker Deandre Levy and safety Don Carey won’t be there to start training camp.  Both players have been placed on  the active/non-football injury list.  The Lions aren’t saying much about either player.

Sadler Scholarship Fund

Michigan State University will hold an event to celebrate the life of Grand Rapids native and former MSU punter Mike Sadler on Sunday. The 24 year old died in a car crash last Saturday in Wisconsin.  The event will happen tomorrow at Spartan Stadium beginning at 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public. In lieu of flowers and donations, the Sadler family asks that contributions may be sent to the Mike Sadler Legacy Football Scholarship Fund.

Nascar

Martin Truex Jr. will be the pole-sitter for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway.

Golf

Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb share the lead at 9 under at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. Jason Day is two shots back.

NABF Series

HBC/Behnke will be the host team in the NABF World Series, which starts next Wednesday and goes through Sunday at Battle Creek’s Bailey Park.  The 103rd World Series will see twelve of the best amateur teams in the United States battle for the title over the 5-day, 25 game contest. Battle Creek Mayor Dave Walters has proclaimed next week “National Amateur Baseball Week” and will throw out the  first pitch Wednesday night HBC-Behnke battles last year’s champs.

Every game of the 103rd World Series will be streamed live on the internet via GameAction360. You can find a link to stream the games on the World Series homepage at www.battlecreekworldseries.com or on the NABF World Series Facebook page.