Sports: Tigers Streak Ends; Mets Tonight

The Tigers 8-game win streak ended Thursday, as they lost 6-3 to the White Sox.  The White Sox chased starter Jordan Zimmermann early in his return from the disabled list. Zimmermann (9-5) allowed six runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings, failing to strike out a batter in his first outing since June 30. He had been out with a right neck strain.  After leaving the game, Zimmerman was to have an MRI due to tightness in his lat. The Tigers may need to activate Daniel Norris or Mike Pelfrey to replace Zimmerman if he goes back on the DL.  Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia homered in a five-run second inning. Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler homered for Detroit

Jose Quintana (9-8) allowed three runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings.   Kyle Ryan threw three scoreless innings in relief of Zimmerman, but was sent to the minors after the game so the Tigers could bring up a fresh arm in lefty Blaine Hardy.  The Tigers fell to three games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland.  American League Pitcher of the Month Justin Verlander starts for the Tigers against the Mets tonight in Detroit. Broadcast time is 6:45 on WBCK.

Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers topped the Rochester Honkers, 7-5 Thursday night at Mayo Field as they smashed a couple home runs and were able to hold off a late charge by the Honkers.  Nick Poirier led off the top of the third with a solo home run over the fence in right center to knot the score up at one.  Daniel Jipping’s homer gave Battle Creek a 7-2 lead.  With the win, Battle Creek moves to 15-11 in the second half.  The Bombers will go for the two-game series sweep tonight in Rochester.  Battle Creek is tied for second place with Madison, just two games behind Wisconsin Rapids in the South Division.

Red Wings Stadium

The new home of the Detroit Red Wings has reached a construction milestone. A ceremony took place Thursday to mark the placement of the final piece of structural steel for the roof of Little Caesars Arena. Olympia Development of Michigan says the piece of steel, in keeping with tradition, bears the signatures of the project's ironworkers.  The arena is scheduled to open in 2017 after the Red Wings play a final season at Joe Louis Arena. It's part of an entertainment district being built north of downtown.  Mike and Marian Ilitch co-founded Little Caesars in 1959 and bought the Red Wings in 1982. Mike Ilitch bought the Detroit Tigers in 1992.

NABF Series

HBC/Behnke lost 3-1 to  the Lake Erie Buckeyes to cap a 9-game schedule Thursday at Bailey ark.  Behnke is 1-1 in the tournament and must win tonight at 6:30 as they take on the 0-2 Brooklyn Sports Fever at C.O. Brown Stadium.   Things get started at 11am Friday with 8 games on tap.    The 103^rd NABF World Series goes through Sunday.  You can see as many of the 12-team, 25 game schedule as you’d like for just 5 dollars, and 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.

Westrook Deal with Thunder

A person with direct knowledge of the deal says Russell Westbrook and the Thunder have agreed to a three-year, $85.7 million contract extension that runs through 2020-21. The five-time All-Star averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists last season as Oklahoma City reached the Western Conference finals before blowing a three-games-to-one lead against Golden State. The signing comes one month after All-Star Kevin Durant left the Thunder for a free-agent contract with the Warriors.