Morning Sports for Saturday, May 3rd

Morning Sports for Saturday, May 3rd:

MLB: Tigers Shake Shields, Royals
Rick Porcello outpitched Kansas City ace James Shields, as the Tigers pounded the Royals 8-2 Friday night. Porcello pitched seven strong innings… giving up two runs on four hits, and striking out six. Shields left in the seventh… and was charged with all eight Detroit runs. Alex Avila hit a two-run homer – his first of the season. Victor Martinez had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs. The win increased Detroit’s lead over the Royals in the American League Central Division to three games. The Tigers continue that series at Kansas City tonight. Drew Smyly will face Danny Duffy. Hear the first pitch at 7:10 on AM 1400, WCCY.

The Tigers have signed free-agent relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan to a one-year contract. Hanrahan was an All-Star closer before elbow surgery sidelined him last season. He won’t be of immediate assistance – team officials say he’ll likely need five to eight weeks of work in the minors before he’s ready to join the Detroit bullpen.

Peralta Pitches, Hits Brewers Past Reds
Wily Peralta did pretty much everything for the Brewers, as Milwaukee edged Cincinnati 2-0 Friday night. He pitched eight shutout innings… giving up just three hits, and striking out seven. And, he drove in both Brewers’ runs with a line drive double in the fifth inning. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth, and earned his 14th save. The Brewers continue their series at Cincinnati tonight. Yovani Gallardo will start against Johnny Cueto.

After giving up five runs in a relief appearance Thursday night, Brewers’ reliever Jim Henderson finally admitted that his pitching shoulder is sore. He’s been sent to the 15-Day Disabled List with inflammation. Outfielder Caleb Gindl has been called up from Nashville, and started last night’s game. Pitcher Matt Garza threw a bullpen session on Friday, and said he would likely be ready for his next start. He suffered a bruised thumb in his last outing. The news on outfielder Ryan Braun isn’t so good. His aching oblique continues to keep him on the bench. Logan Schafer is eligible to come off the DL today… and Braun may replace him there.

Finlandia Baseball Heads to Northland
The Finlandia baseball team finishes its season with a doubleheader at Northland College tomorrow.

Lions Ladies Hoops Adds Two Yoopers
The Finlandia University women’s basketball team has added two Western Upper Peninsula players to its roster for next season. Ontonagon guard Brooke Turin averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior. She was named the Most Valuable Player in the Copper Country Conference, and was a Class D All-U.P. First Team player. Michaela Burke averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals per game for Watersmeet. She was twice named to the All-Porcupine Mountain Conference First Team. Burke will join her older sister, Marissa, on the Lions’ squad this fall.

MTU Track Teams Compete at GLIAC Championship
The Michigan Tech track and field teams are competing at the GLIAC championship tournament in Ohio this weekend.

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