By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

Tigers 8, Marlins 7 (11 innings)- The Tigers opened the 2016 season with an extra inning victory on the road against the Miami Marlins.

LSJ Logo incertDetroit had a 5-0 lead after five innings, but the Marlins cut their deficit to 5-4 with three runs in the sixth inning and one in the eighth.

Miami completed the comeback scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning after the Tigers added two insurance runs during the top of the inning.

Ian Kinsler, who hit a three-run homer in the second inning, hit the game-winning RBI single during the 11th inning to help seal the Tigers win.Eye on the D

Anthony Gose and Victor Martinez each added a solo homerun during the ninth inning for the Tigers while Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos each knocked in a run.

Detroit’s starting pitcher Justin Verlander took a no decision, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out five batters in six innings.

Drew VerHagen pitched the win for the Tigers, while Shane Greene picked up the save after clean innings in the 10th and 11th innings, respectively.

The Marlins were led by Giancarlo Stanton with a home run and two RBIs while Dee Gordon chipped in with a double, triple and RBI.

Detroit will close the two-game series with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

Record: 1-0

Tied for 1st Place in AL Central Division (tied with Chicago)

Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 161

Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 162

Next Game: 04/06/2016 @ Miami Marlins 4:45 p.m.@ Marlins Park

Hitting stats: Ian Kinsler HR (1) 4 RBI (4), Anthony Gose HR (1) RBI (1), Victor Martinez HR (1) RBI (1), Miguel Cabrera RBI (1), Nick Castellanos RBI (1), Justin Upton 2B (1), J.D. Martinez 2B (1).

Pitching stats: Drew VerHagen W (1-0) 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 1 K, Shane Greene SV (1) 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K, Justin Verlander ND 6 IP 3 H 3 R 3 ER 2 BB 5 K.

Heat 107, Pistons 89, – The Miami Heat cruised past the Pistons on their home court on Tuesday night.

The Heat were led by Goran Dragic with 22 points and eight assists while Dwyane Wade added 16 points and Josh Richardson chipped in with 16 off the Miami bench.

The Pistons fell behind 25-19 after the first quarter, trailed 54-36 at halftime and had an 82-63 disadvantage after three quarters.

Tobias Harris Reggie Jackson paced the Pistons with 21 points each while Andre Drummond chipped in with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Detroit is now 41-37 on the season, good for eighth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

The Pistons have a two-game lead over the Chicago Bulls for the final playoff spot with four games remaining.

Detroit will finish its three-game road trip against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

Record: 41-37

3rd Place in Central Division (15 games behind Cleveland)

8th Place in Eastern Conference (15 games behind Cleveland)

2 games ahead of Chicago for the last playoff spot

Magic # to clinch a playoff berth: 2

Misery # towards elimination from playoff contention: 7

Eliminated from Central Division and Eastern Conference title contention.

Next Game: 04/06/2016 @ Orlando Magic 7:00 p.m. @ Amway Center

Stats: Tobias Harris 21 points 7 rebounds, Reggie Jackson 21 points, Andre Drummond 12 points 13 rebounds, Aron Baynes 10 points.