Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer was named the American League Rookie of the Year, beating finalists Gary Sanchez of the Yankees and Tyler Naquin of the Indians.The 23-year-old right-hander went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts for a Tigers club that narrowly missed the playoffs.Im really happy and blessed to receive this award, Fulmer said on a conference call. I knew that both Gary and Tyler [Naquin] had outstanding years, and I hope to play against them for a long time.Over a 14-start stretch spanning late May to mid-August, Fulmer pitched 93? innings and recorded a 1.44 ERA. He started that run by becoming the second pitcher in major league history to make four straight scoreless starts of at least six innings while allowing three hits or fewer, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.A late-season swoon caused a dip in Fulmers numbers, however. Following his first career shutout in an Aug. 14 start, Fulmer pitched fewer than six innings in four of his final seven starts. During that post-Aug. 14 stretch, the rightys ERA steadily increased from 2.25 to 3.06.Fulmer is the fifth Tigers player to win Rookie of the Year, joining Justin Verlander (2006), Lou Whitaker (1978), Mark Fidrych (1976) and Harvey Kuenn (1953). Verlander is now a mentor to Fulmer in the Detroit rotation.I remember back in spring training where I was kind of nervous to come up to him, Fulmer said. I watched him. Ever since he was a rookie, he was one of my favorite pitchers in the game.Fulmer joined the Tigers organization at the 2015 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent slugger Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets.ESPNs Mark Simon and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Custom Nike Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. 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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers coach Ron Rivera wants Cam Newton to receive the same protection on helmet-to-helmet hits as other quarterbacks get in the NFL.Rivera said because of the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newtons size and the Panthers style of play, Newton often doesnt draw the flags on hard hits that smaller QBs do.Newton was on the receiving end of four helmet-to-helmet hits in Thursday nights physical 21-20 loss to Denver, but the Broncos were only penalized once.I think there is a little bit of prejudice to that, Rivera said of the lack of penalties. Its kind of like Shaquille ONeal. Hes a big physical basketball player and he goes to set a pick and they fall down and they call a foul on him. Then he goes to shoot a layup and gets hacked and hammered and they dont call it.Rivera even went as far as to say the leagues reigning MVP should receive some preferential treatment.The coach would like to see Newton, now in his sixth season, get some veteran favoritism from the leagues officials.Newton was tested four times for a concussion -- after the game in the locker room, on the bus, on the flight home and Friday morning at the stadium -- and all proved to be negative. He was never tested during the game.Newton is expected to practice when the Panthers return to the field on Wednesday, the coach said.Rivera said he will send video of some of the hits to the league.Some of them you would like to see them throw the flags, Rivera said without identifying which hits.The NFL doesnt disagree with Rivera. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that league officials say linebacker Brandon Marshall should have been flagged for a second half hit on Newton.The person said Dean Blandino, the leagues senior vice president of officiating, and his staff reviewed the play and determined on Friday that Marshall shouldve been flagged for delivering a hit to Newtons head after the quarterback had released the football. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the NFL did not publicly comment on the details of its review.The NFL wont hand out any potential fines until next week after they review all Week 1 games.There were a couple of helmet-to-helmet hits on Newton by last years Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and defensive end Jared Crick. Millers facemask-to-facemask hit occurred while Newton was being sacked by DeMMarcus Ware.ddddddddddddThe biggest hit on Newton, however, was delivered by safety Darian Stewart on Carolinas final possession, leaving the QB motionless on the ground for several seconds. Newton stayed in and led the Panthers into field goal range, although Graham Gano missed a 50-yard attempt that would have given Carolina the lead.Stewart said after the game he felt like he led with his shoulder, not his head.The NFL released a statement Friday saying medical officials determined Newton didnt need to leave the game due to injury. It said there was communication between medical personnel on the Carolina sideline, including the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, and the two independent certified athletic trainer spotters in the booth.The release also stated that during stoppage in action the play was reviewed and medical officials determined there were no indications of a concussion that would require further evaluation and the removal of the player from the game.Rivera didnt see a need to sit Newton after the hit.Im not going to question the doctors, OK? There is a protocol, Rivera said.The NFLPA said it is reviewing whether Newton should have been tested after the hit.Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said he didnt think there was that much contact with Newtons head during the game.I saw two plays where he left the pocket where there were big collisions, Kubiak said. There were a lot of big collisions in that game. I think we were playing hard. They were playing hard. They knocked the heck out of us, too, you know.Kubiak also doesnt feel his players were being dirty.Rivera knows officials have a difficult job to do, especially when it comes to a player like Newton who runs a lot.I think his style of play is different as far as quarterbacks are concerned, Rivera said. ... Its so hard to tell whether he is running or going to throw. So that makes it tough.Kubiak agreed.Hes the top player in football and theyre designed runs for him, Kubiak said. Youd better tackle him like a back, youd better treat him that way or youre going to have a long night as a defensive football team.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Denver contributed to this report. ' ' '