Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Avila’s Homer Beats Yanks
Alex Avila’s home run in the 12th inning lifted the Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the Yankees last night. Avila’s blast came five innings after he had tied the game with an rbi single in the seventh. New Detroit pitcher David Price survived giving up two home runs early in the game, and wound up striking out 10 before leaving with two outs in the ninth. Joba Chamberlain, Joakim Soria and Joe Nathan pitched hitless relief to keep the Tigers in it.
The Tigers continue that series at Yankee Stadium tonight. Justin Verlander will start against Chris Capuano. Hear the first pitch at 7:05 on AM 1400, WCCY.
Kansas City also won, so Detroit’s lead in the American League Central Division remains at four-and-a-half games.
Torii Hunter had to leave last night’s game in the ninth inning, after he was hit on the hand by a pitch. He’s considered day to day.
The Tigers have signed free agent relief pitcher Jim Johnson. Johnson led the major league in saves the last two seasons for the Orioles, but struggled badly with the Athletics this year, and was released a few days ago. He’ll be assigned to Toledo, in hopes that he can regain his form, and help the Detroit bullpen down the stretch.
Tigers’ shortstop Eugenio Suarez had an MRI on his left knee yesterday. The diagnosis of the injury he suffered while sliding into second base on Monday is still incomplete, but manager Brad Ausmus remains hopeful that Suarez will not need time on the DL.
Brewers Edge Giants
New Brewers’ outfielder Gerardo Parra helped Milwaukee to a 4-3 victory over the Giants last night. Parra’s homer in the seventh inning was the game-winning hit. In the eighth, he helped snuff out a San Francisco rally by making a dramatic sliding catch in foul territory. Jimmy Nelson earned the win, giving up three runs over seven innings.
The Brewers host the Giants again tonight. Yovani Gallardo will start against Ryan Vogelsong.
Saint Louis won, and Pittsburgh lost, so Milwaukee’s lead in the National League Central Division is one game over the Cardinals, and two-and-a-half over the Pirates.
Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis each missed last night’s game because of nagging injuries. Gennett continues to deal with a sore left quad. Davis has an aching left elbow. Both are considered day to day. Starting pitcher Matt Garza has been placed on the 15-day disabled list after straining a rib cage muscle in his last start. Reliever Rob Wooten has been called up from Nashville. Manager Ron Roenicke has not indicated who will take Garza’s spot in the rotation.
Twilight League
In the final night of regular season Twilight League baseball last night…
– At the Stanton Field, the Wildcats wrapped up a second place finish with a 10-0 victory over Pat’s Foods. Carter Puuri gave up just two hits to earn the win. Eric Nettel hit a grand slam in the first inning, and drove in six runs in the game.
– At the Wolverine Field, Mosquito Inn clinched third place with a 10-2 victory over Wolverine-Orbit. Justin Kirby went the distance for the win. Andy Buchanan drove in two runs and scored three for Toivola. Toivola and Wolverine finish the regular season with identical 8-8 records, but Toivola won the tiebreaker.
The playoffs begin tomorrow night, when Pat’s Foods and Wolverine-Orbit meet at the Wolverine field. The winner of that game will begin a best-of-three semifinal series against regular season champ BlueSky Health Tuesday night. Toivola and Stanton will met in the other semifinal series.
To make sure your team’s scores are included in morning sports, send them to mornings@up.net.
