In an attempt to protect the drivers feet and legs, NASCAR will gradually implement changes to strengthen the car by modifying the floorboard, drivers anti-intrusion plating, firewall and footbox areas.The changes, sparked by the accidents to Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon last year, are optional for 2016, mandatory for the Daytona and Talladega races in 2017 and then all tracks in 2018.While Dillon was unhurt in his crash, Busch suffered a broken right leg and broken left foot in his February 2015 crash. Danica Patrick also had an accident in May at Talladega that concerned the drivers about the strength of the front end of the car despite her being able to walk away.NASCAR senior vice president Gene Stefanyshyn said teams designed various proposed changes, and NASCAR had done two crash tests to help determine the changes.Were replacing existing materials with materials in instances which are thicker or being formed in a way with less welds, Stefanyshyn said in announcing the changes Thursday. Also the way we attach part of it is we are creating, for lack of a better term, a zipper so we provide a lot more weld surface.Basically we are making the structure that encapsulates the driver more robust and susceptible to manage energy in a better way.Stefanyshyn said he couldnt put a percentage on how much better the drivers lower extremities will be protected but the test results show very good improvement.Its been well tested and we feel very, very comfortable and very good with the direction here, he said.The gradual implementation is so teams dont obsolete current chassis, as the new chassis will have to go through the NASCAR certification process. With the new thickness of materials, the weight changes would impact how the car races, which also could deter teams from implementing them before NASCAR makes them mandatory -- teams likely would have to be convinced they arent at a competitive disadvantage by using the new designs during the optional period.NASCAR also announced Thursday that it would use the potential 2017 aerodynamic package for the Aug. 28 race at Michigan International Speedway. It had used that package, which includes a smaller spoiler and reduced paneling of the front splitter underneath the car, in June at Michigan and July at Kentucky Speedway. Custom New York Mets Jerseys .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. New York Mets Pro Shop . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Mets Jerseys 2019 . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. New York Mets Store . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup.DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have built a bit of a cushion in the division, taking advantage of their powerful lineup, steady rotation and Clevelands slump. Prince Fielder hit a bases-clearing double in the second inning and the Tigers held on to beat the Indians 6-4 Saturday. AL Central-leading Detroit has won the first two games of the series -- and three straight overall -- to build a season-high 4 1/2-game lead over the Indians, less than three weeks after trailing them by 2 1/2 games. "Its good to be in first place, but we have to stay focused and keep winning games so we can finish in September," Miguel Cabrera said. The Indians fell a game under .500, losing a season-high six straight and 12 of their last 15 games. "Theres a lot of us not feeling good right now," said Nick Swisher, who is hitless in his last 24 at-bats. Rick Porcello (3-3) gave up two runs -- one earned -- and three hits while striking out seven over six innings. Ryan Raburn hit a two-run homer off reliever Luke Putkonen to pull the Indians within two runs in the seventh inning and they had a shot to at least get even in the ninth. After Phil Coke pitched 1 1-3 innings of scoreless relief, Jose Valverde pitched a shaky ninth for his eighth save in 10 opportunities. Carlos Santana hit a one-out single in the ninth, a flare to right that second baseman Omar Infante almost caught with his back to the plate. Yan Gomes walked to put Raburn -- the potential the go-ahead run -- at the plate and Valverde struck out his former teammate and Mike Aviles to end the game. "He pitched his way out of it," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He made some quality pitches. Two strikeouts to end it, thats pretty good." Carlos Carrasco (1-1) gave up six runs and 10 hits over four-plus innings in what might be his last start for a while. "When you miss your spots, theyre going to hit you and thats what I did," Carrasco said, adding he doesnt know whether the appeal of his suspension will be dropped. The Indians led 1-0 after Porcellos first four pitches. Leadoff hitter Michael Bourn doubled and Jason Kipnins singled before Porcello retired 12 straight while his teammates gave him some run support. Detroit loaded the bases in each of the first three innings, scoring six runs and leaving five on base. Carrasco got out of a one-out jam in the first by getting Victor Martinez to pop out and Jhonny Peralta to fly out.dddddddddddd. The right-hander wasnt as fortunate in the second when Detroit scored four runs on four hits. Andy Dirks hit a two-out RBI single and later, Cabrera drew a walk to load the bases after a nine-pitch at-bat that started with an 0-2 count. Fielder followed with a three-run double on a sharply hit drive to right-centre to give Detroit a 4-1 lead. "You saw a great hitter have a great, disciplined at-bat," Leyland said. "Then, Prince came up with a huge, huge hit." The Tigers loaded the bases without an out in the third and Carrasco got Avisail Garcia to hit into a double play that allowed one run to score. He then gave up Dirks RBI single that made it 6-1. Cleveland put Carrasco on the mound before he is forced to sit. "Maybe we can knock out this suspension," Indians manager Terry Francona said before the game. Carrasco was able to pitch while appealing an eight-game suspension, an argument that potentially could be dropped soon after his outing in Detroit. Major League Baseball suspended him in April for "intentionally throwing" at New Yorks Kevin Youkilis, and he was sent to Triple-A Columbus where he stayed until being recalled for Saturdays start. NOTES: Detroit is skipping RHP Anibal Sanchezs turn in the rotation Sunday in the series finale because theres tightness in the back of his shoulder, creating an opportunity for LHP Jose Alvarez to make his major league debut. The Tigers sent RHP Jose Ortega to Triple-A Toledo to make room on the roster. ... The Indians put RHP Zach McAllister on the 15-day disabled list, hoping to avoid his sprained right finger getting worse. ... Tigers OF Austin Jackson, who has been on the DL since May 12 with a pulled left hamstring, ran from home to second and second to home before the game and team trainer Kevin Rand said he will be evaluated Sunday to determine if hes ready to start a rehab assignment. ... Francona was ejected for the second time in a week, getting tossed in the middle of the eighth inning after getting between Swisher, and plate umpire Andy Fletcher while they were arguing. "I think (Fletcher) lost his composure," Francona said. "I didnt go out there to get thrown out the game." ' ' '