Tork’s Two-Run Shot Lifts Tigers – Saturday Sports Wrap

High School

The Lake Linden-Hubbell at Bark River-Harris baseball games scheduled for today have been called off.

College Softball

The Finlandia University softball team’s doubleheaders against Maranatha Baptist scheduled for this weekend have been canceled because of the weather. They will not be made up.

The Lions softball squad has introduced a new recruit for next season. Jyla Thomas is a pitcher and outfielder from Moreno Valley, California.

College Baseball

The Finlandia baseball team dropped two games at Wisconsin-Oshkosh yesterday, 15-2 and 16-5. Jacob Mead homered in the second game. The Lions play two more at Oshkosh this afternoon.

NBA

The field is set for the NBA tournament…
• In the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks earned the eighth seed with a 107-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.
• In the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans edged the Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 to earn the eighth seed.

The tournament begins today.

In the Eastern Conference…
• The Philadelphia 76ers host the Toronto Raptors.

In the Western Conference…
• The Dallas Mavericks entertain the Utah Jazz.
• The Memphis Grizzlies welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• The Denver Nuggets visit the Golden State Warriors.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings visit the New York Rangers this afternoon. Coverage will begin at 12:15 on 99.3 The Lift.

MLB

Spencer Torkelson’s two-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals last night. Torkelson’s blow drove in Miguel Cabrera, whose 599th career double had drawn him within five of the 3,000 career hit mark. Tarik Skubal pitched into the sixth, and gave up a run on four hits. He struck out seven. Michael Fulmer earned the win in relief.

The Tigers visit the Royals again this afternoon. Matt Manning will start against Kris Bubic. Coverage begins at 3:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

Injuries continue to plague the Tigers. Starter Casey Mize was placed on the 10-day injured list yesterday with a sprained right elbow. Shortstop Javier Báez missed another game with a sore thumb, and outfielder Robbie Grossman remained on the bench with a groin injury. Outfielder Daz Cameron has been activated to fill Mize’s roster spot. To fill his rotation spot, the contract of starter Wily Peralta was purchased from Triple-A Toledo. Right-hander Elvin Rodriguez was sent down to the Mud Hens. Peralta was not on the 40-man roster, so someone will need to be cut to make room. Starter Michael Pineda is scheduled to open for the Mud Hens tomorrow. Both he and Peralta missed most of spring training because of visa issues.

Freddy Peralta was shelled, as the Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Saint Louis Cardinals 10-1 last night. Peralta allowed six runs over the first two innings, and left after the third.

The Brewers host the Cardinals again this evening. Adrian Houser will start against Steven Matz.

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