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MLB
The Detroit Tigers dropped both ends of their rain-delayed doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds yesterday, losing the opener 4-3, then falling 4-0 in the nightcap.
Detroit fell behind early in game one, as the Reds scored twice off Rony Garcia in the first inning, and added one more in the third. Tyler Alexander replaced him, and proceeded to tie a major league record by striking out nine Cincinnati batters in a row. The Tigers drew even with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Reds scored the game-winner off Joe Jiménez in the top of the seventh.
Detroit batters were held to just two hits in the second game. Daniel Norris gave up two runs in his first start of the season, which lasted less than two innings.
Yesterday’s first doubleheader was the first of the modern baseball era in which neither game lasted nine innings. To conserve pitching in the COVID-19-shortened season, games in all doubleheaders are scheduled for just seven innings.
Alexander’s nine straight strikeouts tied the major league record set by former Tiger Doug Fister in 2012. It is the longest strikeout streak ever for a reliever. The cap Alexander wore in the game is being sent to the Hall of Fame.
The Tigers’ schedule for this week has been changed, because of several COVID-19 cases among players and staff members of their next opponent, the Saint Louis Cardinals. Tonight’s game has been postponed. The Cardinals are expecting results from the latest round of testing today. If players are cleared to proceed, the series is expected to open tomorrow. Coverage will begin at 5:45 on 99.3 The Lift.
Those COVID-19 cases cost the Milwaukee Brewers their entire weekend series against the Cardinals. The Crew is expected to return to the field tonight at home against the Chicago White Sox. Brett Anderson will start against Carlos Rodón.
Ryan Braun has landed on the 10-day injured list because of an infected finger.
Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy is hospitalized after he suffered a heart attack during a team workout Saturday. He’s said to be resting comfortably, and could be released from the hospital within the next couple of days. There’s no word about when he may be able to rejoin the team.
Elsewhere in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies have been cleared to play their game against the New York Yankees tonight. Several Phillies players were believed to have contracted COVID-19 after their recent series against the Miami Marlins, but subsequent tests have indicated the early results were false positives.
The Marlins, who have had 18 players and two coaches test positive, will resume their season tomorrow in Baltimore.
NFL
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford continues on the COVID-19 list. The team added his name Saturday. It’s not clear if Stafford has contracted the virus. The list is also used for players who have had close contact with another person who has been infected.
A second Lion has opted out for the season. Receiver Geronimo Allison says he’ll join defensive tackle John Atkins on the sideline. Allison signed a one-year free agent contract after four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. To help fill Atkins’ slot, they claimed Daylon Mack off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens.
Detroit has also placed defensive end Romeo Okwara on the non-football injury list, and put pass rusher Austin Bryant on the physically unable to perform list.
The Philadelphia Eagles will continue training camp without head coach Doug Pederson. He has tested positive for COVID-19.
NHL
In National Hockey League qualifying round games yesterday…
• The Arizona Coyotes edged the Nashville Predators 4-3.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0.
• The Minnesota Wild shut down the Vancouver Canucks 3-0.
Each of those winners leads the best-of-five series one game to none.
In round-robin seeding play…
• The Philadelphia Flyers downed the Boston Bruins 4-1.
• The Colorado Avalanche shaded the Saint Louis Blues 2-1.
Horseshoes
On the final night of regular-season play in the Copper Country Horseshoe League…
• Dreamland Two hosts Calumet Electronics at the Dreamland Bar.
• Rocky’s Bar faces Drift Inn at the Drift Inn.
• L and L takes on Loading Zone at Rocky’s Bar.
• Dreamland One meets Ahmeek Fire Department at Ahmeek Park.
• Calumet One faces 41 Lumber at Agassiz Park.
• Harter’s Party Store plays Bucko’s Party Store at Buckies.
Email sports scores and news to mornings@up.net.
