Norris settles into rotation with late surge

ATLANTA — Daniel Norris grew up in Johnson City, Tenn., but he spent an important part of his childhood at Turner Field.

“In high school, I’d play summer ball here,” Norris said. “We’d have games at 11 or 1, and we would pack up and carpool to the game. We’d get in for like a buck in the upper deck and sneak down and watch games. It was pretty cool.”

With 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball and eight strikeouts Friday night against the Braves, the Tigers’ lefty is quickly growing up as a pitcher, too.

In the process, the 23-year-old — who went into Spring Training competing for a spot at the back end of the rotation — is now firmly in line for a role in Detroit’s potential postseason rotation. Depending on whether the Tigers have to make up their rainout against Cleveland on Monday afternoon at Comerica Park, then play any tiebreaker games, Norris could be in line to start the American League Wild Card Game or AL Division Series opener.

The way the second-year starter has pitched lately gives the Tigers every reason to put the fate of their season on his arm.

“He’s grown quite a bit,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “He’s starting to learn how to control his emotions and …

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