DJC Morning Drive – Detroit Sports Links – Weekend Review

May 19, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) is congratulated by first baseman Prince Fielder (28) after hitting a home run in the fifth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sport

Busy weekend in Detroit Sports. The Red Wings evened the score.  The Tigers struggled against Texas despite Miggy being Miggy and the Detroit Pistons still haven’t hired a coach.  All this and more from the DJC Morning Drive.  Get up! and Get down with Detroit Jock City.

Game 2 – Detroit Red Wings 4 Chicago Blackhawks -1 via Detroit Jock City

"Game 2 was almost the same as game one except the other way around.  The Detroit Red Wings evened the series against the Chicago Blackhawks by defeating them 4-1; the same manner in which they lost on Wednesday.  Detroit out-shot the Blackhawks  30-20. They won more face-offs 31-25 and the younger Wings played in control from the beginning with the calm and cool of a grizzled play-off vet."

Detroit Tigers 8   Texas Rangers 11 – Miguel Cabrera put on an offensive exhibition going 4-4 with 3 HR and 5 RBI. but it wasn’t enough as Tigers pitching fell apart in the middle innings.  That was complicated by a horrible defensive showing in the bottom of the 7th as the Rangers take 3 of 4 from the Tigers.  The Tiger start a two game series against the Indians on Tuesday.

Detroit Pistons

Charlie V picks up his option via fansided

"You can chalk this one up in the blatantly obvious column. Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva officially exercised his player option this week, ensuring that outside of an offseason trade, the former UConn product will open the season as a member of the Pistons."

Recapping the Pistons Head Coaching Search via Detroit Jock City

"What in the heck did Phil Jackson do when he was in town anyway? He was supposed to be advising Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars on the search for the next Pistons Head coach but the only interviews they were able to muster was J.B. Bickerstaff and Mike Budenholzer. Maybe Phil Jackson was evaluating the coaching search rather than helping facilitate it. The full impact of The Zen Maters stint as unpaid consultant is yet to be seen."

Detroit Lions

Top 5 Lions set for breakout season via Mlive

"The Detroit Lions finished 4-12 in 2012, but there are still a lot of reasons for optimism this offseason. Detroit added running Reggie Bush, defensive end Jason Jones and safety Glover Quin in free agency, which improved three areas of weakness. The Lions re-signed safety Louis Delmas and cornerback Chris Houston, two veteran leaders in Detroit’s backfield. Detroit also added defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, cornerback Darius Slay and guard Larry Warford in the recent NFL draft, which should solidify those positions."

Competition Wide Open To Return Punts and Kicks

"Perhaps the biggest on-field difference for the 2013 version of the Detroit Lions will be on special teams. John Bonamego replaces Danny Crossman as the special teams coordinator. New eyes, new ideas. David Akers replaces kicker Jason Hanson who retired. Sam Martin or Blake Clingan will be the new punter. The big question looms: Who will return punts and kicks?"