Your Five Things For August 20th: Tigers Win In Extras

1. Tigers Fall Behind Early, Win In Extras

After falling behind 4-0 in the first two innings, the Detroit Tigers were able to top the Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 in 11 innings.  The Tigers scored 3 runs in the top of the 11th top break open the game.  JD Martinez went 2-5 with a homerun back in the 8th to give the Tigers the lead.  But, Joba Chamberlain loaded the bases and could not hold the lead giving up 1 run.  Grant Balfour walked the bases loaded which gave the Tigers the lead.  A wild pitch then scored a run and Bryan Holiday sacrifice fly scored the third run.  Scherzer pitched 7 innings giving up 4 runs on 4 hits with 3 walks and 9 strikeouts.  The Tigers will send Rick Porcello (13-8) to the mound as Jake Odorizzi (9-9) for the Rays.

2. Cleveland Adds Larry Drew To Coaching Staff

First year NBA coach, David Blatt, adds former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Drew, to the coaching staff.  Larry Drew went 15-67 in his lone year in Milwaukee where he was fired for Jason Kidd.  Drew, a former player from 1980-1991, played for 4 teams and one international team.  Before Larry Drew took over as the Bucks coach, he was coaching in Atlanta.

3. Chris Kluwe and Vikings Reach Settlement

Former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and the Minnesota Vikings have reached a settlement avoiding a lawsuit.  About 7 months ago, Kluwe brought up the allegations of homophobic behavior by the team.  The team initially announced that there would be $100,000 contribution to LGBT-friendly charities.  The Kluwe settlement was not officially released.  Read more about this story here.

4. MAC & ESPN Reaches New Deal

In a new 13-year, $100+ Million deal will help the Mid-American Conference gain more national exposure.  The new TV deal with ESPN will end after the 2026-2027 season.  The main part of the deal was football and men's and women's basketball.  Each school will be getting more money from the deal upping the revenue from $90,000 to $650,000 per year.  The contract does include broadcasting Olympic sports as well.  With this contract with ESPN, teams will be featured on the ESPN family of networks and online streaming as well.

5. Royals Top Rockies

The Kansas City Royals used a late push to beat the Colorado Rockies 7-4.  The Royals scored 7 runs on 11 hits.  James Shields pitched for the Royals going 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 9 hits and improves his record to 12-6.  Greg Holland got a one out save, his 39th of the year, after Colorado tried to claw back.  The Royals end their series against Colorado today before going to Texas.