Morning Sports for Saturday, May 24th:
MLB: Tigers Snap Losing Streak
Anibal Sanchez pitched seven innings, and the Tigers broke their four-game losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the Rangers Friday evening. Sanchez struggled in the second inning… giving up both Texas runs… but settled in to give the Detroit bullpen some much-needed rest. Austin Jackson and Andrew Romine homered for the Tigers. Romine’s shot was his first in the major leagues. Ian Kinsler slugged three doubles against his former team.
The Tigers host the Rangers again this afternoon. Rick Porcello will face Nick Martinez. Hear the first pitch at 4:08 on AM 1400, WCCY.
Brewers Outslug Marlins
Marco Estrada gave up four home runs… but the Brewers collected three of their own, and beat the Marlins 9-5 Friday night. Mark Reynolds hit two of Milwaukee’s round-trippers, and drive in four runs. The Brewers continue that series at Miami this afternoon. Wily Peralta will pitch against former Tiger Jacob Turner.
Ryan Braun sat out Friday night’s game because of tightness in his right side. That’s the same problem that sent him to the disabled list several weeks ago. He’s considered day-to-day.
Finlandia Hockey Adds Forward, Goalie
The Finlandia University men’s hockey team has added two players to next season’s roster. Walker Ensted is from Omaha. He had a 9-4 record in goal for the Marquette Royales last season, with a 3.67 goals-allowed average. Taylor Cox is from Pittsburgh, and can play all three forward positions. He may be best known for an incident in 2012 when he scored a goal for the New Jersey Titans of the Eastern Hockey League… and celebrated by jumping up against one of the glass panels at the edge of the rink. The panel shattered, and he fell through. Video of the crash was featured on SportsCenter. You can see it here.
Lane Qualifies for 1500-Meter Finals
Michigan Tech runner Jani Lane will run in today’s championship race in the 1500 meter run at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Lane finished fourth in his preliminary heat Thursday night. Lane holds four of the five best times in the 1500 meter in school history. The school record he set this year was the fifth-fastest Division II time in the nation.
Malone Returning to Pistons?
The Detroit Free Press reports that former Detroit Pistons assistant coach Brendan Malone will return to the team as an assistant to new head coach Stan Van Gundy. Malone was an assistant under Van Gundy at Orlando. He’s well-known in Detroit for the seven years he spent under Head Coach Chuck Daly during the “Bad Boys” era… when he developed the defensive scheme known as the “Jordan Rules” that was designed to slow down Bulls’ superstar Michael Jordan.
Ride the Keweenaw Weekend Continues
This year’s Ride the Keweenaw Weekend continues with rides at the Michigan Tech, Churning Rapids and Swedetown Trails. On Sunday, guided rides will continue in Copper Harbor, with a new Enduro Race and Downhill Race added to this year’s schedule. For full details, click here.
Global Guts Day Activities Scheduled
The Frisbee game that was invented here in the Copper Country will be celebrated today in Calumet. Global Guts Day activities will run from noon until 4:00 at Haralson Field, at the corner of US-41 and Red Jacket Road. Meet people who play the sport, and try it yourself. You can also see the finals of the Top Gun competition involving local high school students. Enjoy free hot dogs, brats and Coke. This year’s International Frisbee Tournament will be held July 5th and 6th at Agassiz Field in Calumet.
Ontonagon Classic Deadline Today
Entries are due today for the 2014 Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic. The Ladies’ Powder Puff Tournament will be held this coming Friday, and the full classic will be open Saturday and Sunday. To sign up, and get full details, check with Greig’s Tackle Shop in Ontonagon, or click here.
Soccer Sign-Up Deadline Today
Today is the final day for kids through age 11 to enroll for Copper Country Soccer Association soccer this summer. Sign up online here.
To make sure your team’s scores are included in morning sports, send them to mornings@up.net.