Sports Roundup: Tigers Head to Chicago

Tigers

The Tigers split in Minnesota, and rain washed out Sunday’s game.   Manager Brad Ausmus says the rainouts and off days are killing the Tigers’ pitching rotation.  He says his starters can’t get in any type of rhythm since they’re  guys are going on five days rest, four days rest, and sometimes six days rest.”  He says the schedule isn’t helping the hitters either.  The Tigers are off until tomorrow night at the play the White Sox in Chicago.  Justin Verlander starts on Tuesday night and Max Scherzer on Wednesday afternoon.   It’ll be a short two-game series, and there’s more rain in the forecast. Detroit put starter Anabal Sanchez on the 15 day disabled list with a blister on his pitching hand---the worst one Manager Brad Ausmus says he’s ever seen. Detroit recalled pitcher Justin Miller from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot.  Miller had just been sent down on Saturday, but turns around and heads back to rejoin the team.

Red Wings

The Bruins ended the Red Wings’ season with a 4-2 win on Saturday.  Boston won the series 4-1.  Next for the Wings, is deciding if Pavel Datsyuk needs some minor knee surgery in the off season.  Center Stephen Weiss, who barely played this season, just had a second surgery related to his earlier hernia surgery.  Captain Henrik Zetterberg, who returned to the playoffs following back surgery in late February, says he felt great and should be at full strength next fall.   The Red Wings’ loss is good news for the Grand Rapids Griffons.   They lead the Calder Cup playoff series with Abbotsford 2 games to none, and they’ll get three players back from Detroit.  Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco and Xavier Ouellet will rejoin the Griffons.

NHL Playoffs

The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks are moving forward in the NHL playoffs.  The 'Hawks routed the St. Louis Blues 5-1 to win their series in six games. Chicago faces the winner of the series between Minnesota and Colorado.  The Ducks earned a 5-4 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars to cap their series win in six games. The Ducks face Los Angeles or San Jose in the next round.  Elsewhere the New York Rangers jumped out to a 3-2 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers after a 4-2 victory on Sunday.  Dominic Moore with two goals.   Three teams face elimination on tonight in Game Six. Pittsburgh can end Columbus’ season, and Colorado Avalanche looks to do the same to Minnesota. Out west, the Sharks have to beat the Kings in L.A.  Boston will take on Montreal in the semifinals.

NBA Playoffs

NBA playoff action was overshadowed by the Clippers taking a stand against team owner Donald Sterling’s alleged use of racial comments. Sterling told his girlfriend he does not want her bringing black people to his games (including Magic Johnson) and it's all on tape, posted by TMZ.  Deadspin has acquired an extended, 15-minute version of the conversation, which includes even more racially charged comments.

Portland Trail Blazers 123, Houston Rockets 120 (OT) (Blazers lead, 3-1)

Golden State Warriors 118, Los Angeles Clippers 97 (Series tied 2-2)

Washington Wizards 98, Chicago Bulls 89 (Wizards lead, 3-1)

Toronto Raptors 87, Brooklyn Nets 79 (Series tied, 2-2)

Horford to Florida

Michigan’s Jon Horford will transfer to Florida, where his older brother Al played and won two national championships.  The younger Horford is scheduled to graduate from Michigan in May and then transfer for his final year of eligibility as a redshirt senior.  There was speculation that Horford might transfer to Western Michigan.

NASCAR

Joey Logano came through in a four-car battle at the end to win Saturday's Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway.  While Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gordon tangled with each other, Logano took the lead with four laps to go. It's his second Sprint Cup victory this season as he joins Kevin Harvick with multiple wins. Gordon crossed second, followed by Kyle Busch, Keselowski and Kenseth.  Tempers flared on pit road post race as Keselowski expressed his displeasure with Kenseth. Casey Mears and Marcos Ambrose also traded punches in the garage area.

Golf

Seung-Yul Noh earned his first career win on the PGA Tour as he carded a 1-under 71 on Sunday and won Zurich Classic of New Orleans by two strokes.   The 22 year old from South Korea wore ribbons on his hat to memorialize the victims in the tragic ferry accident in his home country

Lydia Ko birdied the 18th hole Sunday, completing a 3-under 69 to beat Stacy Lewis and win the inaugural Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.

Baseball Trip

You could win a trip for two to see a Major League baseball game of your choice from WBCK! You also get roundtrip airfare for two, hotel for two days/one night, double occupancy and $300 cash.  Just on the VIP/Contests link to Win a Baseball Trip and sign up!  You must be 21 and the contest ends April 30th.