By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Tigers 7, Marlins 3- Jarrod Saltalamacchia paced the Tigers towards a victory on Wednesday and a two-game series sweep over the Miami Marlins.
Saltalamacchia paced Detroit with a double, home run and four RBIs, while Victor Martinez became the first player since 1914 to hit a pinch hit homer in his first two at bats of the season.
The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead with two runs in the second inning and three in the sixth.
The Marlins responded with two runs in the sixth before Detroit added two insurance runs in the eighth.
Detroit’s starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three batters in five innings.
Francisco Rodriguez picked up his first save as a Tiger, recording the final out of the contest.
The Marlins were led by starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, who struck out 13 Tigers batters despite taking the loss.
Detroit will start a three-game weekend series at home against the New York Yankees starting with its home opener on Friday afternoon.
Record: 2-0
Tied for 1st Place in AL Central Division (tied with Chicago)
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 160
Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 161
Next Game: 04/08/2016 vs New York Yankees 1:10 p.m.@ Comerica Park
Hitting stats: Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2B (1) HR (1) 4 RBI (4), Victor Martinez HR (2) 2 RBI (3), Nick Castellanos 2B (1) RBI (2), Justin Upton 2B (2).
Pitching stats: Anibal Sanchez W (1-0) 5 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 3 BB 3 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (1) 1/3 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 1 K.
Pistons 108, Magic 104 – The Pistons are on the verge of clinching their first postseason in seven season after defeating the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Detroit, which is now 42-37 the season, clinched its first winning season since 2007-2008 and is a win or Chicago loss away from clinching a spot in the NBA’s Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Pistons led 25-21 after the first quarter, trailed 51-44 at halftime and had a 77-73 disadvantage after three quarters.
Detroit closed the game with a 35-27 fourth quarter run to seal the victory.
Reggie Jackson paced the Pistons with a game-high 24 points, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 18 points and Andre Drummond chipped in with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Detroit is currently tied with the Indiana Pacers for seventh place in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining.
Detroit will look to clinch a playoff spot on Friday night with win over the Washington Wizards on its home court.
Record: 42-37
Tied for 2nd Place in Central Division (14.5 games behind Cleveland)
Tied for 7th Place in Eastern Conference (14.5 games behind Cleveland)
2.5 games ahead of Chicago for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff berth: 1
Misery # towards elimination from playoff contention: 7
Eliminated from Central Division and Eastern Conference title contention.
Next Game: 04/08/2016 vs. Washington Wizards 7:30 p.m. @ Palace of Auburn Hills
Stats: Reggie Jackson 24 points, Reggie Bullock 13 points 6 assists, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 18 points, Andre Drummond 13 points 16 rebounds, Tobias Harris 13 points 7 rebounds.
Red Wings 3, Flyers 0 – Jimmy Howard stopped all 30 shots faced as the Red Wings blanked the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.
Detroit is now 2 points earned away from clinching its 25th straight postseason appearance.
Darren Helm, Andreas Athanasiou and Kyle Quincey each scored a goal for the Red Wings while Howard chipped in with the lone assist in the game.
The Red Wings are now 41-28-11 on the season, good for 93 points and third place in the Atlantic Division. They are two points ahead of Boston for a spot in the Atlantic Division playoff race with two games remaining.
Detroit will look to clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Record: 41-28-11 93 pts
3rd Place in Atlantic Division (8 pts behind Florida)
7th Place in Eastern Conference (24 pts behind Washington)
2 points ahead of Boston for final Atlantic Division playoff spot.
Magic # to clinch 25th straight playoff berth: 2 pts
Misery # towards elimination from a playoff berth: 7 pts
Eliminated from Central Division and Eastern Conference title contention
Next Game: 04/07/2016 @ Boston Bruins 7:00 p.m. @ T.D. Garden
Stats: Goals- Darren Helm (13), Andreas Athanasiou (8) Kyle Quincey (4). Assists- Howard. Goaltender- Jimmy Howard W (14-12-5) 30 saves on 30 shots 2nd shutout.
