for Triple-A Toledo in the first of what is expected to be three rehab starts. Zimmermann allowed two hits in 3 2/3 shutout innings, throwing 39 pitches.ACHTER HONOREDVisiting reli

PHILADELPHIA -- Before President Barack Obama issues any final pardons as he leaves office, he has a basketball celebration to host. Raheem Mostert Jersey .The reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers will visit the White House on Thursday and be recognized for becoming the first team to bring a professional sports title to Cleveland in 52 years.Its just an honor for us to be able to be represented at the White House because of our accomplishment and what we were able to accomplish last year, LeBron James said before Cavs shootaround Saturday morning in preparation for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers.I know our guys are excited about it, especially the guys who have never been there before. They should take it in full and appreciate it. Were all going to appreciate the environment.The visit will occur just two days after the presidential election. Obama extended the invitation in June, after the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals by defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games.In a congratulatory telephone call to Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, Obama invited the team to celebrate the championship with him at the White House before he leaves office.The date was largely determined by the Cavs schedule. They play two road games against the Washington Wizards this season, but the second one isnt until Feb. 6 -- a couple weeks after the 45th president of the United States will be sworn in.It will be James third trip to the White House to celebrate a championship and be honored by Obama after doing it twice before as a member of the Miami Heat. He says that the timing of this trip adds to the experience.Its going to be special for the simple fact that not only am I going to be there with my Cleveland teammates, but Im there when Barack is on his way out, James said. Like I said, hes been a great role model, especially to African-American kids. What he did was something that you never thought could be possible. Being a black president, for me to be there when hes on his way out and his last term is ending, I think thats pretty significant as well.James, who endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president last month, said he has already cast his ballot ahead of the election Tuesday in the battleground state of Ohio.Several days before the final vote, many polls show Republican candidate Donald Trump having the edge over Clinton in the Buckeye State. James will join Clinton on the campaign trail Sunday and speak at a rally at the Public Auditorium in downtown Cleveland to try to swing undecided voters toward the former Secretary of State.I know who Im endorsing, and I hope everybody has gotten their fair share of knowledge and understanding of what this is about, how important this is, James said. Like I said, I know who Im for, who Im endorsing and everyone has the right to do what they want to do.In his initial endorsement of Clinton, James said he believed that she would continue the legacy of Obama.Lue said that Obama is relatable to his team, which is predominantly African-American.Having our first black president was a big thing for me and for my family and I know for a lot of others, Lue said. I know having a chance for these guys to see a black president in office is a big thing. Its a big deal. So, thats one of the reasons why I wanted it to be while he was still in office because you never know if it will ever happen again.He added that Obama is also relatable as a basketball fan.I mean, he loves the game and being from Chicago, thats basketball heaven, Lue said. Hes a big basketball supporter. I thought Bill Clinton was also a great president as far as following basketball and being a big Arkansas fan, but I mean, its cool. Having a president that you can relate to, that knows the same things that you know about the game and growing up how you grew up and different things like that. So its cool for the guys to get a chance to see that.The visit will come a day before the teams Nov. 11 matchup with the Wizards. Mike McGlinchey Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Dave Wilcox Jersey . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. http://www.custom49ersjersey.com/custom-...arge-1388d.html . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. DETROIT -- The way Justin Verlander has pitched since July, he rarely needs much offensive support from his teammates.On Friday night, the Detroit Tigers didnt score until the sixth inning, but four late runs were more than enough for Verlander to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2.He allowed a first-inning homer to Albert Pujols, then after holding the Angels hitless from the second into the eighth, he gave up a second run before Francisco Rodriguez got the final four outs.The Tigers have won five straight to move back into contention in both the AL Central and wild-card races.Verlander (14-7) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight in his ninth straight quality start. Since July 2, he is 7-1 with a 2.00 ERA while giving up 48 hits in 76 1/3 innings.This is what you work for, he said. You work so hard in the offseason so that you can be strong at the end of the year and continue to give your team a chance to win when it really counts.Mike Trout went 0 for 3 against Verlander, and is 1 for 15 against the Tigers ace in his career.That was obviously a tough night, Trout said. He was throwing near 100 (mph), he was working the corners, and he was keeping us off balance. That doesnt give you many chances.Justin Upton hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the sixth -- his fourth in five games.Upton was hitting .226 when Tigers manager Brad Ausmus held him out of the starting lineup for three days last week. Since returning on Saturday, hes batting .417 with seven extra-base hits and 11 RBI in six games.Hes been great since he came back off that three-day hiatus, Ausmus said. It was a mental reset, and it gave him a chance to work on some things. His history shows hes capable of going on sustained tears like this, and I hope he keeps it going for at least the next five weeks.Ricky Nolasco (4-12) held the Tigers scoreless for the first five innings, but ended up allowing four runs, nine hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings.I was putting up zeros and trying to give us a chance, but thats a stacked lineup, Nolasco said. I made the big pitches I needed until the sixth.Pujols gave the Angels a 1-0 lead in the first, hitting his 585th career homer. He came into the game hitting .360 against the Tigers, the best average in baseball since 2001. It was Pujols first regular-season homer off Verlander, though he did hit one off the Tigers ace in the 2006 World Series.Detroit broke through in the sixth, tying the game on consecutive doubles by Victor Martinez and J. Freddie Solomon Jersey. . Martinez, and Upton hit the next pitch into the stands in left field to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.I hung two straight sliders, and it cost us the game, Nolasco said. J.D. hit the first one for a double and the next one was a home run.Cameron Maybin added a solo homer in the seventh. Verlander didnt allow a hit after the first inning until Kaleb Cowarts one-out single in the eighth. Cowart, though, scored on Kole Calhouns two-out double.That brought in Rodriguez, and he walked Trout to put the tying run on base. Pujols hit an 0-1 pitch deep down the line in left, but it hooked foul. Rodriguez uncorked a wild pitch to move the runners to second and third.Pujols, though, grounded out on the next pitch to end the threat.You knew that was going to be a battle with Frankie and Albert out there, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Albert almost got him, but he just couldnt wrap it around the pole, and then Frankie made a great pitch. Thats what hes going to do.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: INF Jefry Marte returned to the Angels after missing the series in Toronto with tonsillitis. ... Reliever Cam Bedrosian is scheduled to see a vascular specialist early next week to determine if he needs season-ending surgery to remove a blood clot in his arm.Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (neck) started for Triple-A Toledo in the first of what is expected to be three rehab starts. Zimmermann allowed two hits in 3 2/3 shutout innings, throwing 39 pitches.ACHTER HONOREDVisiting relievers arent usually included in pre-game ceremonies, but the Tigers made an exception for Angels reliever A.J. Achter. Friday was Michigan State University Night at Comerica Park, andr Achter is the only active major leaguer who played for the Spartans.GOLD MEDALIST COMES HOMESwimmer Allison Schmitt, who grew up about 30 miles west of Comerica Park, threw out the first pitch. Earlier this month, she won gold and silver in the Rio Olympics, giving her four career gold medals and eight total medals.UP NEXTThe teams continue their three-game series Saturday night, with Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer (10-4, 2.58) facing Brett Oberholtzer (3-2, 5.77). Oberholtzer is replacing Jhoulys Chacin in the rotation, with Chacin moving to the bullpen. ' ' '