Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Thursday, April 17.

MLB

Lets’ do some recaps, shall we?

• Rangers rookie Kumar Rocker recorded his first career win, striking out eight batters and allowing just three runs over seven innings. Texas beat the Angels 5-3.

• The Rays hosted the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field, which probably felt weird for New York, considering that’s where they play spring training games. Nevertheless, the “visiting” team beat Tampa Bay 6-3.

• Christopher Sanchez was the star of the night, striking out a career-high 12 batters. Sanchez and the Phillies beat San Francisco 6-4.

• The league-leader in home runs is… Tyler Soderstrom? The Athletics first baseman knocked out his ninth dinger of the year, leading the A’s to an 8-0 victory over the White Sox.

• Down two runs in the ninth, (Cal) Raleigh and Randy (Arozarena) went back-to-back for Seattle. The Mariners scored four in the 10th inning and beat Cincinnati 11-7.

• And finally, how about this odd victory for Pittsburgh– Oneil Cruz led off the game with a solo home run… and that was it! The Pirates beat the Nationals 1-0.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

After 38 years on College GameDay, Lee Corso has announced his retirement. Corso’s entertaining analysis and personality was a big reason for GameDay’s success. He became known for ending the weekly football show by selecting a mascot head and making a bold pick, a signature moment of Saturday mornings for generations of college football fans. Corso’s final appearance on the show will be this coming August.

Congratulations to Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, who became the fifth NHL coach all-time to reach 900 career wins. Ruff is also third on the all-time list in total games coached.

The Colorado Rockies have fired hitting coach Hensley Meulens less than a month into the season. A very young team that is unfortunately in the highly competitive NL West, apparently Rockies management was ready for a quick change. Special Assistant to the GM and former manager Clint Hurdle will take over for the remainder of the season.

Damian Lillard has been cleared to resume basketball activities and is expected to play for the Bucks at some point in the first round. According to doctors, Lillard has miraculously recovered from a blood clot issue in just under three weeks, thanks to early diagnosis and treatment from specialists. Absolutely wonderful news for the Milwaukee point guard.

THIS WEEKEND’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

NBA PLAY-IN GAMES:

• Heat @ Hawks, 7 PM on TNT/Max

  • winner will play the Cavaliers in round one

• Mavericks @ Grizzlies, 9:30 PM on TNT/Max

  • winner will play the Thunder in round one

NHL PLAYOFFS ROUND ONE:

• Blues @ Jets, 6 PM Saturday on TNT/Max

• Avalanche @ Stars, 8:30 PM Saturday on TNT/Max

• Devils @ Hurricanes, 3 PM Sunday on ESPN

• Senators @ Maple Leafs, 7 PM Sunday on ESPN2

• Wild @ Golden Knights, 10 PM Sunday on ESPN

NBA PLAYOFFS ROUND ONE:

• Bucks @ Pacers, 1 PM Saturday on ESPN

• Clippers @ Nuggets, 3:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

• Pistons @ Knicks, 6 PM Saturday on ESPN

• Timberwolves @ Lakers, 8:30 PM Saturday on ABC

• Mavericks/Grizzlies @ Thunder, 1 PM Sunday on ABC

• Magic @ Celtics, 3:30 PM Sunday on ABC

• Heat/Hawks @ Cavaliers, 7 PM Sunday on TNT/Max

• Warriors @ Rockets, 9:30 PM Sunday on TNT/Max

“I figured that when I flew across the country on my dime, there would be a conversation. I meet with the coach, we start talking … he runs out of the room. I’m like, that’s strange. Then he comes back with the GM. So we sit down and I think we’re going to have this long conversation, I’ve flown across the country, and 20 seconds in, I’m talking to the GM, and (Coach Glenn) leans to the edge of his seat and says: ‘You’re sure you want to play football?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I’m interested.’ And he said, ‘We’re going in another direction at quarterback.’ ” –free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, speaking on the Pat McAfee show about his meeting with the Jets. Rodgers said later in the interview he has not decided if he is playing football this year or retiring

We’ve got some fun things planned for next week at The Remix HQ. All I can say for now is hasta la vista! And have a fantastic weekend