Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Tigers Fall Out of First Place
The Tigers dropped out of first place in the American League Central and lost another starting pitcher last night, while losing to the Pirates 11-6. Justin Verlander gave up five runs in the first inning, before leaving with tightness in his shoulder. He’ll undergo an MRI today, to see if he needs to join Anibal Sanchez and Joakim Soria on the disabled list. With the bullpen exhausted after Sunday’s 19-inning loss at Toronto, Verlander was relieved by Justin Miller, Ian Kroll and Kevin Whelan, who had all been called up from Toledo before the game. Miller gave up three runs, and Whelan gave up two on back-to-back homers. Phil Coke mopped up.
The Tigers continue that series at Pittsburgh tonight. Robbie Ray will start against Edinson Volquez. Ray is covering for Rick Porcello, who pitched out of the bullpen in Sunday’s marathon. Hear the first pitch at 7:05 on AM 1400, WCCY.
The Royals won their eighth straight game yesterday, and now lead the Tigers by a half-game in the American League Central Division.
To make room for Miller, Kroll and Whelan, Detroit optioned left-handers Blaine Hardy and Pat McCoy to Toledo, and officially placed Soria on the DL. Whelan also had to be added to the official 40-man roster, so Detroit released pitcher Casey Crosby, who had struggled with injuries the last couple of seasons at Toledo.
With Ray pitching for Porcello tonight, the Tigers have called Buck Farmer up to pitch in place of Sanchez tomorrow. Farmer spent most of this season at Single-A West Michigan, before he was promoted to Double-A Erie a couple of weeks ago.
Andy Dirks is expected to resume his rehab assignment at Toledo late this week. Dirks is working his way into shape after back surgery this spring. He was sidelined a few days ago with a sore hamstring, but the injury does not appear to be serious.
Brewers Beat Cubs
Yovani Gallardo turned in seven strong innings, as the Brewers defeated the Cubs 3-1. Mark Reynolds hit his 20th homer of the season for Milwaukee, on a long fly ball that would have left Wrigley Field, if not for a highlight-reel catch by a 65-year-old fan in the bleachers.
The Brewers continue that set against the Cubs in Chicago tonight. Wily Peralta will start against Kyle Hendricks.
Pittsburgh won, and Saint Louis lost, so Milwaukee’s lead in the National League Central Division is now two-and-a-half games over the Pirates, and three games over the Cardinals.
Twilight League Semis Open Tonight
The best-of-three Twilight League semifinal series open tonight.
– Regular-season champion BlueSky Health entertains Wolverine-Orbit at the Dollar Bay field.
– The second-seed Stanton Wildcats host third-seed Mosquito Inn at the Stanton field.
Game two of those series will be played Thursday evening.
Calumet Names New Athletic Hall of Famers
Calumet High School will induct nine new Athletic Hall of Fame members next month. The new honorees are:
– Gene Arntsen, who earned 10 varsity letters at Calumet in the 1950s;
– Carl “Scuppy” Backstrom, who lettered in football, basketball and track in the early ‘50s. He went on to play college football and basketball, and pitched several years of semi-pro baseball, after having been invited to spring training by the Boston Red Sox;
– Larry Danbom, who lettered in football, basketball and track in the early 1930s, and was named a football All-American at Notre Dame;
– Gordon Frantti, who lettered in football, hockey and track in the mid-80s, and was named a hockey All-Stater. He went on to a professional career, and is currently the owner and general manager of a Junior A team in Salt Lake City;
– Joe Galetto, who lettered in football and track in the early ‘60s. He played hockey at Michigan Tech, and was a member of the 1964-65 National Championship team.
– Paul Lehto, longtime hockey and baseball player and coach, and a driving force in maintaining and upgrading the Colosseum;
– George Oikarinen, who lettered in football, basketball and track in the mid-60s. He set a number of school football records, and was an All-U.P. honoree twice;
– Jackie Rowe, who excelled in speed skating, skiing, softball and hockey in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s… before the addition of many girls’ varsity sports. She also played a season with the Detroit Demons of the National Women’s Football League;
– Percy Wilcox, who was recruited by George Gipp to attend Notre Dame after excelling at football, hockey, basketball and baseball in high school a century ago. Wilcox lettered in football, basketball and hockey at Notre Dame, and was captain of the hockey team for two seasons.
The installation ceremony on Saturday, September 6th, will begin at 11:00 with a coffee social. The public is invited. For full details and bios of the new Hall of Fame members, check our story at KeweenawReport.com.
Registration Open for Great Deer Chase
Online registration continues through Thursday for Saturday’s Great Deer Chase. The Chase includes 15 and 28-mile mountain bike events, the U.P. Single Speed Championship, and the three and five-mile Great Fawn Chase races for kids. On-site registration will also be available at Cross Country Sports Friday evening from 6:30 until 8:00, and Saturday morning from 9:00 until 10:00. Registration for the kids’ races will take place Saturday morning from 7:30 until 8:30. If you’d like to make a pre-race ride on the 15 or 28-mile course, meet at the Swedetown Trailhead tomorrow night at 6:00.
Volunteers are also needed to help with setup, cleanup and traffic control on Saturday. Get all the race details here.
To make sure your team’s scores are included in morning sports, send them to mornings@up.net.
