Hancock Softball Falls in Regional Semifinal – Sunday Sports Wrap

High School

The Hancock softball team fell 6-5 to Ishpeming in the state tournament regional semifinals Saturday at Rapid River. Rudyard defeated the Hematites 6-1 to take the regional title, and will face Hillman in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

NBA

In NBA tournament second-round play Saturday night…
 • The Clippers overwhelmed the Jazz 132-106. Utah leads that series 2-1.

Today…
 • The Bucks host the Nets. Brooklyn leads that series 2-1.
• The Nuggets entertain the Suns. Denver is up 3-0 in that series.

NHL

The Stanley Cup semifinals open this afternoon, as the Lightning host the Islanders.

MLB

The Chicago White Sox scored eight runs in the first two innings, and cruised to a 15-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers Saturday. José Ureña didn’t make out out of the second inning, and took the loss. He gave up eight hits, three walks, hit a batter, and was charged with five runs. Daniel Norris relieved him, and was charged with two more before the second inning ended. The Sox tacked on five more in the fifth inning off Beau Burrows and Alex Lange. Their final two runs came off catcher Jake Rogers, who took the mound in the eighth inning. Harold Castro pitched the ninth. Castro’s two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning accounted for Detroit’s only scoring.

The Tigers host Chicago again this afternoon. Kyle Funkhauser will make his first major league start on what’s anticipated to be a bullpen day. Carlos Rodón will pitch for the Sox. Coverage will begin at 12:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

Burrows left the game after becoming ill while on the mound. He was optioned down to Toledo after the contest. Jeimer Candelario has been added to the injured list. He’s returned from bereavement leave at his home in the Dominican Republic, but must undergo COVID-19 protocols before rejoining the team. Catcher Wilson Ramos has been sent to the Lakeland Flying Tigers on a rehab assignment, as he recovers from a back sprain.

Detroit has promoted Mike Hessman to assistant hitting coach. Hessman holds the record for hitting the most home runs in minor league history, many of those with the Toledo Mud Hens. He had been serving as the Mud Hens’ hitting coach, and will replace José Cruz Jr., who was named head coach at Rice University earlier this week. Minor League hitting coordinator Jeff Branson will take over as Toledo’s hitting coach.

The Milwaukee Brewers overcame an early deficit, and rallied to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 Saturday. Corbin Burnes struggled, giving up four runs in the first two innings, and leaving after the fourth. He struck out eight, but allowed eight hits. The Crew scored single runs in the second and third innings, then erupted for five runs in the fourth to take the lead. Christina Yelich’s three-run double was the big blow.

The Brewers entertain the Pirates again this afternoon. Adrian Houser will pitch against Wil Crowe.

Milwaukee has acquired reliever Hunter Strickland from the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a cash transaction, after the Angels designated Strickland for assignment on Monday. Strickland got off to a good start this season with the Tampa Bay Rays, but struggled after L-A purchased his contract a month ago.

The Brewers have also placed outfielder Tyrone Taylor on the injured list with a strained right shoulder. Utility player Tim Lopes has been called up from Nashville to fill in.

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