Flames Fall in Legion Baseball Tourney, Play for Berth in Finals Today

American Legion Baseball

The Copper Country Flames American Legion baseball team fell to the Marquette Blues 10-0 yesterday at the state tournament. Erik Johnson threw a complete-game three-hitter to earn the win for Marquette. The Blues struck early, scoring one run in the first inning, six in the second, two in the third, and one in the fifth. All were charged to Flames starter Nick Horning. The game ended after five frames, because of the mercy rule.

The Flames drop into the losers’ bracket, and will face Rosebush this morning at 10:00 at Haley Field in Marquette. The winner of that contest will face Marquette in the title match this afternoon at 1:00. Because the tournament is double elimination, if Marquette wins this afternoon, the Blues take the title. If Marquette loses this afternoon, a final title game will be played between the same two teams tomorrow.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons confirmed yesterday that they have agreed in principle to the trade that was reported during Thursday night’s draft. Detroit will get the rights to Florida State center Balša Koprivica, who was selected with the 57th pick by the Hornets. Charlotte will get Auburn forward JT Thor, whom Detroit took with the 37th pick. The deal is also said to include center Mason Plumlee, who will join the Hornets in a move to create salary cap space in Detroit. Because of a moratorium, NBA trades cannot be made official until next Friday.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings added some frontline depth yesterday, acquiring center Mitchell Stephens from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft. Stephens missed most of last season because of an injury.

The Wings announced yesterday that they will return to Traverse City for their training camp this fall.

MLB

The Detroit Tigers fell to the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 last night. Tarik Skubal was touched for single runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, and took the loss. Miguel Cabrera had two hits, and very nearly changed the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with what looked as if it might be a grand slam home run. Instead, Cedric Mullins caught the ball just in front of the center field fence, and it wound up as a deep sacrifice fly.

The Tigers host the Orioles again this evening. Matt Manning will start against John Means. Coverage will begin at 5:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Tigers traded pitcher Daniel Norris to the Milwaukee Brewers before yesterday’s deadline. In exchange, Detroit gets right-handed pitcher Reese Olson. Milwaukee gets a veteran reliever who struggled at the beginning of the season, but had pitched well for the past month. He will be a free agent after this season. Detroit gets a 21-year-old prospect who started 14 games for High-A Wisconsin, with a 5-4 record, a 4.30 ERA, and 79 strikeouts over 69 innings.

To replace Norris on the roster, Detroit brought Ian Krol back up from Toledo. They also assigned infielder Isaac Paredes to the Mud Hens for a rehab stretch. He’s recovering from a hip strain.

Norris’ new team outscored the Atlanta Braves 9-5 last night. Corbin Burnes got off to a rough start, giving up four runs in the first inning. His teammates picked him up, with four in the third, and four more in the fourth. Brad Boxberger got the win in relief. Avisaíl García and new Brewer Eduardo Escobar homered.

The Brewers visit the Atlanta Braves this evening. Brandon Woodruff will pitch against Kyle Muller.

The Brewers made a second addition to their bullpen before yesterday’s deadline, acquiring right-hander John Curtiss from the Marlins. Milwaukee sent Triple-A catcher Payton Henry to Miami.

Watercross

The second annual Jeff Moyle Memorial Watercross event is underway at the Lake Linden Campground. After a shootout last night, racing begins at 10:00 this morning and again tomorrow morning. For more details and ticket information, click here.

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