MLB
Make it eight losses in a row, as the Detroit Tigers fell to the Chicago White Sox 5-3 last night. Detroit took a brief lead with a three-run Jeimer Candelario home run in the top of the fifth inning. Chicago tied the contest by scoring two in the bottom of the fifth, and won it with two solo home runs off Gregory Soto in the eighth.
Both rookie starters excelled in their major league debuts. Detroit’s Casey Mize struck out seven. He surrendered a solo home run to Edwin Encarnacion, and was charged with both Sox’ runs in the fifth. Chicago’s Dane Dunning also struck out seven, before leaving the game after Candelario’s home run in the fifth.
The Tigers conclude that set against the White Sox in Chicago this afternoon. Spencer Turnbull will start against Lucas Giolito. Coverage begins at 1:45 on 99.3 The Lift.
Detroit has added utility player Harold Castro to the injured list. He suffered a hamstring strain Tuesday night. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio has been called up.
The Milwaukee Brewers pounded the Minnesota Twins 9-3 last night. Ryan Braun, Avisaíl Garcia, Keston Hiura and Christian Yelich homered. Brett Anderson gave up a run over six innings to get the win.
The Brewers visit the Twins again tonight. Brandon Woodruff will pitch against José Berríos.
NHL
In the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs yesterday…
In the Eastern Conference at Toronto…
• The Lightning shaded the Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime. Tampa Bay advances, with a 4-1 series win.
• The Bruins edged the Hurricanes 2-1. Boston moves ahead, with a 4-1 series win. The Canadiens downed the Flyers 5-3. Philadelphia leads that series 3-2.
In Toronto today… the Islanders meet the Capitals. New York leads that series 3-1.
In the Western Conference at Edmonton…
• The Avalanche routed the Coyotes 7-1. Colorado wins that series 4-1.
• The Canucks got past the Blues 4-3. Vancouver leads that set 3-2.
In Edmonton today, the Stars play the Flames. Dallas leads that series 3-2.
NBA
In the opening round of the NBA playoffs…
In the Eastern Conference yesterday…
• The Raptors downed the Nets 104-99. Toronto leads that series 2-0.
• The Celtics outscored the 76ers 128-101. Boston is up 2-0 in that set.
On today’s schedule…
• The Heat face the Pacers. Miami leads that series 1-0.
• The Bucks play the Magic. Orlando is up 1-0 in that series.
In the Western Conference…
• The Jazz downed the Nuggets 124-105. That series is tied 1-1.
• The Mavericks dispatched the Clippers 127-114. That set is also tied 1-1.
On today’s schedule…
• The Thunder take on the Rockets. Houston leads that set 1-0.
• The Tail Blazers face the Lakers. Portland is up 1-0 in that set.
The NBA Draft Lottery will take place tonight. 14 teams have a chance at the top pick. The Warriors, Cavaliers and Timberwolves have the best odds, at 14 percent. The Hawks have a 12 percent chance, and the Pistons have a 10 percent chance. The Pistons have not had a number-one draft choice since they selected Bob Lanier in 1970.
NFL
The Green Bay Packers have cut receiver Travis Fulgham. He had joined the team just last week, after he was waived by the Detroit Lions.
College
This will be the final season for the University of Alaska-Anchorage varsity hockey program. Yesterday, the Seawolves announced cost-cutting moves that include discontinuation of men’s hockey, along with women’s gymnastics, and men’s and women’s skiing.
With the demise of the Seawolves, and the departure of seven teams for the revitalized Central Collegiate Hockey association, only Alaska-Fairbanks will remain in the men’s division of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association after this season. Alaska-Fairbanks chancellor Dan White said yesterday that the Nanooks are committed to maintaining their hockey program.
The Copper Country Twilight Baseball League tournament will be held this Sunday at the Stanton field. Coverage of the both semifinals and the championship game will begin around 10:45 on KBear 102.3.
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