Jeremy Bonderman delivers in Tigers win, Brett Favre bets on his future and more

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera hits a two-run homer off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Vin Mazzaro during the fifth inning. (ERIC RISBERG / AP)

If Justin Verlander set the tone for the Detroit Tigers' West Coast swing, a surging Jeremy Bonderman certainly kept the momentum going Thursday.

Bonderman struck out eight hitters as the Tigers finished off a brief two-game sweep of the Oakland A's. MLive.com's Steve Kornacki reports that Bonderman has now produced three straight quality starts when he's struck out 19 and allowed only five walks in 19 innings of work.

"It was just a matter of time before I got back to where I feel comfortable," Bonderman said,Â

While things are going well for the big club, Tigers' rookie second baseman is motivated by being sent to Triple-A Toledo.

Here's the rest of your morning links.

MLB:

New York Times: Tampa Rays' quick jump out of the gates can be credited to their versatility.
Yahoo.com: Former Tigers outfielder Marcus Thames rough week continues after spraining his ankle stepping on his own bat.

NFL:

MLive.com: Lions' coach Jim Schwartz is not among those concerned with Matthew Stafford's accuracy.
Detroit News: With more pieces in place, the Lions hope to make more of a defensive statement this season.
Biloxi Sun-Herald: Brett Favre links his possible return to Southern Mississippi's College World Series hopes.
Chicago Tribune: Bears' linebacker Brian Urlachler takes issue with Hall of Famer Gale Sayers chiming in on the Bears.

NHL:

Philadelphia Inquirer: Montreal hockey reporter tracks down apparent vandal on Facebook.
Chicago Sun-Times: Up 2-0, why are things coming so easily for the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals?

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