Báez’ Homer Powers Tigers – Tuesday Sports Wrap

High School

The high school track and field season begins today, as local teams compete at the MTU Indoor Invitational.

College Baseball

The Finlandia University baseball team lost both games of its doubleheader at Wisconsin-Platteville yesterday, falling 4-3 in 10 innings in the opener, and dropping the nightcap 4-0. In the first game, Brandon Gaskin singled home Pete Ordonio to tie the game in the top of the ninth. Platteville’s Andrew Zakula drove home the game-winner in the bottom of the 10th. The Lions were held to just two hits in the second contest.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings host the Ottawa Senators tonight. Coverage will begin at 7:15 on 99.3 The Lift.

NBA

The NBA Play-In tournament begins tonight, to determine which teams fill the seventh and eighth slots in each conference in the upcoming playoffs..
• In the Eastern Conference, the seventh-ranked Brooklyn Nets face the eighth-ranked Cleveland Cavaliers. The winner will get the seventh-seed in the playoffs. The loser will play the winner of tomorrow night’s game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed.
• In the Western Conference, the seventh-ranked Minnesota Timberwolves will face the eighth-ranked Los Angeles Clippers. The winner will get the seventh-seed in the playoffs. The loser will play the winner of tomorrow night’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth seed.

MLB

Javier Báez blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox yesterday. Matt Manning turned in six effective innings, giving up only a solo home run to former Tiger J.D. Martinez. Michael Fulmer got the win in relief, and Gregory Soto earned the save.

The Tigers host the Red Sox again this afternoon. Tyler Alexander will start against Rich Hill. Coverage begins at 12:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Milwaukee Brewers lost 2-0 to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. Adrian Houser struggled into the fourth inning, and took the loss.

The Brewers visit the Orioles again tonight. Eric Lauer will start.

Penalties have been handed out after that nasty game between the Brewers and Chicago Cubs Saturday, in which five players were hit by pitches, leading to a bench-clearing argument. Chicago pitcher Keegan Thompson will serve a three-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Milwaukee’s Andrew McCutcheon. Cubs manager David Ross has been suspended for one game.

NFL

The Detroit Lions and punter Jack Fox have signed a contract for next season. There’s also word that a longer-term deal could be in the works.

Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.