Sports: Wings Lose Third Straight

Red Wings

The Red Wings lost 5-3 the Blue Jackets tonight in Columbus.   Justin Abdelkader, Tomas Tatar and Andreas Athanasiou each scored for Detroit.  The Wings came back with two late goals, and almost had a third as Darren Helm hit the post.  It was the Wings’ third straight loss.  Jimmy Howard turned aside 27 shots in the loss. Detroit hosts the Winnipeg Jets at Joe Louis Arena tomorrow.

Tigers

The Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 yesterday at Joker Marchant Stadium. John Mayberry junior hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to put Detroit ahead for good.

Mike Aviles, Bryan Holaday, Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez also batted in runs. Starter Shane Greene gave up three runs on five hits while striking out two in two and two third innings, Daniel Norris surrendered two runs on five hits in relief. Justin Verlander makes his second start of Spring Training as the Tigers host the Washington Nationals this afternoon.

Sanchez on the Mend

We could be close to seeing Anibal Sanchez.  The Detroit Tigers' right-handed pitcher hurdled his second bullpen session Tuesday, tossing 50 pitches with no issues, manager Brad Ausmus said.  "He felt good," Ausmus said. "So if he's fine, he'll have a live BP on Friday."  Ausmus has said Sanchez, shut down since Feb. 25 with inflammation in his right triceps, would require at least two bullpen sessions and tossing batting practice before they would schedule a spring start

Girls Basketball – Regional Games

The season ended for all but two area girls’ basketball teams last night, in regional semi-final action.

Class B

Marshall 62, Stevensville Lakeshore 44.  Nikki Tucker led Marshall with 22. The 22-1 Redhawks will take on Otsego tomorrow at 7pm at Harper Creek.
Class D

Climax-Scotts 56, Lawrence 38.  Taylor Macomber had 21 points. Climax-Scotts, winning with two injured starters out, will play host to Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian tomorrow night at 6:30.

Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 46, Athens 44.

Class A

East Lansing 56, Battle Creek Lakeview 32.

Class C

Niles Brandywine 46, Homer 36

Napoleon 48, Springport 32

Pittsford 63, Bellevue 15

High School Boys Basketball Districts

Class A

Battle Creek Central vs. Lakeview @ Sturgis - Tonight at 6pm.  Broadcast time is 5:45 with Nate Adams on WBCK.

Class B

Marshall plays Parchment at Comstock tonight at 6pm.

Harper Creek plays host team Comstock tonight.

Class C

Delton vs. Springport @ Maple Valley - Tonight at 6pm

Homer vs. Bronson @ Union City - Tonight at 7:30pm

Class D

Tekonsha vs. St. Philip @ Bellevue - Tonight at 5:30pm

Athens vs. Mendon @ Mendon - Tonight at 6pm

NBA/Pistons

The Pistons begin a four-game road trip against the Mavericks in Dallas tonight. The Pistons will also visit the Charlotte Hornets, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards before returning to The Palace.

Big Ten Basketball

Michigan will play Northwestern on Thursday in the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.

Second ranked MSU doesn’t play in the Big Ten tournament until Friday as they meet the winner of Thursday's Ohio State and Penn State game.

Mac Tourney

Eastern Michigan which will face top-seeded Akron in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Johnson Retires

Megatron has left the building.   The 30-year-old Calvin Johnson announced his decision Tuesday after nine seasons with the Lions.  Johnson follows Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Jim Brown, who both stepped away from the game at the age of 30, after fewer than 10 seasons in the NFL.  The 6-time Pro Bowler said it was not an easy or hasty decision and that he is truly at peace.  He also thanked the Ford family, his coaches, teammates and the fans.  Johnson's retirement will save the Lions over 11-million-dollars towards this year's salary cap.