High School
In high school football Saturday…
• Lake Linden-Hubbell took control early, and cruised past Superior Central 44-14. The Lakes capped their first possession with an 11-yard touchdown run by Caleb Klein, and a two-point conversion run by Brandon Lavigne. Kline added a 30-yard TD dash later in the first quarter, and a five-yard jaunt early in the second, with Lavigne again converting each time. Late in the second quarter, Lavigne connected with William Lyon for a 47-yard passing touchdown. This time, Klein ran in for the bonus points. Seconds later, Lyon picked off a Kyle Frusti pass, and returned it 63 yards for a score. The conversion failed, leaving the Lakes with a 38-0 halftime lead. Nate Shank completed the Lake Linden scoring with a two yard plunge midway through the third quarter. The Cougars got on the board late in the third quarter, when a Lakes’ shotgun snap went awry, and Parker Maki picked up the bouncing ball, and ran 75 yards to the endzone. A five yard pass from Kyle Frusti to Zach Frusti late in the game narrowed the gap a bit more. Both conversion attempts failed.
The suspension of face-to-face instruction in Houghton County schools that begins Monday will also include cancellation of all athletic activities during that stretch. At this time, the suspension does not include schools in Baraga or Ontonagon Counties.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers took an early lead, and snapped their five-game losing streak Saturday, with a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals last evening. An RBI single by Niko Goodrum and a two-run double by Austin Romine put Detroit up 3-0 in the top of the first inning. Willi Castro singled home Daz Cameron in the second. KC came back with a run off Matthew Boyd in the bottom of the first, and two more in the second, but Boyd held them at bay through the sixth to earn the win.
The Tigers play their final scheduled game of the season today at Kansas City. Jordan Zimmermann will pitch against Brady Singer. With bad weather predicted, the start time for the game has been moved up to 1:05. Because of NFL Football on 99.3 The Lift, coverage will begin at 12:40 on KBear 102.3.
This will probably be Zimmermann’s final appearance as a Tiger. His five-year contract expires at the end of the season, and he is unlikely to be re-signed.
Detroit completed last night’s game without either of its Castros. Willi left in the second inning with a sore shoulder. He was quickly placed on the injured list so Detroit could call up a replacement – probably shortstop Sergio Alcántara, who has been on the taxi squad. Harold left after experiencing lower back tightness. He’s also favoring a sore hamstring, but officials hope he’ll be available today.
Brandon Woodruff threw eight shutout innings, as the Milwaukee Brewers blanked the Saint Louis Cardinals 3-0 Saturday. Woodruff allowed just two hits. He struck out 10, and walked only one. Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.
The win moved Milwaukee into the eighth playoff position in the National League Central Division. If they beat the Cardinals this afternoon, their position in the post-season will be guaranteed. Brett Anderson will start against Austin Gomber. In the Brewers lose, the only scenario that puts them in the playoffs is if both the Phillies and the Giants fall.
If the Cardinals win, they clinch a post-season berth. If they lose, they will need to play one or two games in Detroit on Monday, to make up contests missed early in the season, when the Cardinals battled a COVID-19 outbreak. MLB officials say the game, or games, in Detroit will be played only to determine which clubs in the crowded National League Central will make the playoffs. They will not play a game simply to determine seeding, and will use existing tiebreakers for that, if necessary.
Freddy Peralta returned to the brewers from paternity leave Saturday. His wife gave birth to a health baby girl on Friday.
NHL
The Stars held off elimination in the Stanley Cup championship series last night, with a 3-2 double overtime win over the Lightning. Tampa Bay still leads the series 3-2, and could claim the Cup with a win tomorrow night.
The Detroit Red Wings have acquired veteran defenseman Marc Staal from the New York Rangers. In exchange for future considerations, Detroit will also get New York’s second-round pick in the 2021 draft. Staal is entering the final season of a six-year contract.
The Wings have also signed forward Sam Gagner to a one-year contract extension. Gagner joined Detroit in February in a trade with the Oilers, but played just a half-dozen games before COVID-19 concerns suspended the season.
NBA
The Lakers won the Western Conference final last night, defeating the Nuggets 117-107 in game five of that series.
The Heat and Celtics play tonight. Miami leads the Eastern Conference final 3-2.
NFL
The Detroit Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals for a 4:25 game today. The Packers take on the Saints in the Sunday night contest. Hear both games on 99.3 The Lift.
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