Sports Roundup: Scherzer wins 14th with 14 K’s

The Tigers beat the Pirates 5-2 Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.

Max Scherzer had 14 strikeouts for his 14th win.  He went 8 innings, gave up just 3 hits on the day, and struck out 6 of the first 7 batters.

Phil Coke gave up two runs in the 9^th, and Joba Chamberlain got the final two outs.

J.D. Martinez went 2 for 3 with a home run off Francisco Liriano.  Martinez also made a long running catch in the 4^th to keep the game scoreless.

Nick Castellanos also had two hits and two RBI for the Tigers.

The Tigers moved back into first place, as the Royals lost to Oakland, 3-2.

Rick Porcello pitches for his 14^th win tonight as the Tigers welcome Seattle in for a weekend series.  Broadcast time is 6:40 on WBCK.

Nathan Apology

Tigers closer Joe Nathan is apologizing to fans for flicking his fingers and his glove under his chin at them following Wednesday night's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Nathan was booed after he walked two batters in the ninth inning of the game. He said that his frustrations with the crowd reaction "got the better of me."  He spoke to reporters before yesterday's game, and vowed to never have such a reaction again.  Nathan put some of the blame on fans for their high expectations out of the closing pitcher following three straight division titles by the Tigers, saying it's not fair to him that fans are still taking out their frustrations about former closers on him.

New Commish

Major League Baseball chief operating officer Rob Manfred has been elected as the sport's next commissioner following a contentious day of meetings between owners.  Manfred was unanimously elected by the owners, but not until the third ballot.  He’ll be the 10^th commissioner in baseball history.

Farmer to Mud Hens

The Tigers sent rookie pitcher Buck Farmer to Triple A Toledo after his spot start Wednesday and called up right-hander Melvin Mercedes Farmer became the 10th player to make his major league debut for the Tigers this season, joining Tyler Collins, Blaine Hardy, Corey Knebel, Patrick McCoy, Justin Miller, Robbie Ray, Chad Smith, Eugenio Suarez and Drew VerHagen.

Pure Michigan 400

Tony Stewart says he will not race Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. It's his second straight NASCAR Sprint Cup race missed since he struck and killed a driver in a dirt-track race at a small New York track. Jeff Burton will drive Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet in Michigan.   Kevin Ward, Jr.’s funeral was Thursday in Boonville, New York.

Lions
The Lions head to the west coast to play the Oakland Raiders this tonight.   Defensive end Ziggy Ansah won’t play against the Raiders.  The Lions will also face the Jaguars and the Bills in preseason play before opening the regular season against the New York Giants September 8th.

Wings Sign GM Holland to 4 more Years

The Detroit Red Wings have signed executive vice president and general manager Ken Holland to a four-year contract through the 2017-18 season. Holland has been Detroit's GM for the last 17 seasons. His teams have won more regular-season games and postseason games than any other organization.

 NABF Regional  

The NABF World Series continues through Sunday in Battle Creek.  Host team HBC Behnke jumped off to 4-0 lead and hung on to beat the Cincinnati Chiefs 8-7 in 10 innings last night at C.O. Brown Stadium. Ryan Konkle went 3 for 5 and drove in the winning run in the 10^th. HBC/Behnke is now 1-1 after losing to the St. Johns Lefties, who were beaten by the Brunswick Orioles 12-3 last night.   HBC/Behnke plays the Brunswick tonight. The top 8 teams through Friday will advance to Saturday’s games.

In other scores…

Stratford Storm 3,  Michigan Braves 1

Michigan Braves 2, Beecher Muskies 0