Kritik und Lob » ainst their in-state rival doesnt carry through

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers havent played their best baseball during the last two weeks but finally have a chance to get back on track when they open a three-game series against the last-place Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night at Target Field.The Tigers, 4-6 in their last 10 games and clinging to viability in the American League Central standings, have played a grueling schedule since the month began, including series against postseason contenders Seattle and Kansas City as well as division leaders Texas and Boston.Minnesota is neither, and since going 15-11 in July, the Twins have stumbled to a 9-11 start in August, including a four-game series sweep last weekend at the hands of the surging Royals.It was the first time since 1999 that the Royals took all four games of a series with the Twins and the first since 1975 in Kansas City.Im very frustrated, Twins manager Paul Molitor said, according to MLB.com. To (go to Kansas City) and have to endure (those) four games. Some of these situations and environment where guys need to step up, our mental toughness needs to improve.Hopefully, we do that as we get more experience from our younger core. Thats what it takes to win on the road against a team thats playing well.Detroit trails first-place Cleveland but is one of a handful of teams within striking distance of Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot. The Tigers came away with a 10-5 win over the Red Sox on Sunday, securing a series split against a team that entered the weekend on a six-game winning streak.The series saw the return of outfielder Justin Upton, who has struggled in his first season in Detroit. Things got so bad last week that Tigers manager Brad Ausmus benched him for a few days after a 1-for-31 skid.Upton spent time with hitting coach Wally Joyner and returned Saturday, getting a double off the center-field fence in his first game back before slugging two homers in Sundays win.I continue to let him know hes the kind of guy that can carry a team, Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin told MLB.com. Not to put any pressure on himself, but hes that type of talent. Were going to need him to do things like that, that hes capable of doing. And its something to watch when he does. When he gets them, he gets them.Tuesdays opener features right-handers Anibal Sanchez for the Tigers against Kyle Gibson for the Twins.Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning his last time out against the Royals but ended up with a no-decision, striking out eight and walking two while surrendering one hit in seven innings. He had a quality start against Minnesota on July 19, allowing three runs and striking out 10 in six innings but took the loss.Gibson is coming off a complete game against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday when he allowed three runs and eight hits and fanned six. He has struggled in eight career starts against Detroit, posting a 3-4 record with a 5.04 ERA. Air Jordan 1 Canada Sale . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Cheap Air Jordan 1 Canada . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. http://www.airjordan1canada.com/ . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Air Jordan 1 Free Shipping . PAUL, Minn. Cheap Air Jordan 1 Canada Sale . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Dalvin Cook rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown as No. 15 Florida State defeated No. 13 Florida for the fourth straight year 31-13 on Saturday.Cooks 17-yard score in the first quarter was his 45th career rushing touchdown, which broke Greg Allens 32-year old mark. The junior is also the first FSU running back since Sammie Smith (1986-88) with three straight 100-yard games against Florida.The Seminoles rushed for 249 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry against the nations fifth-ranked run defense. Freddie Stevenson had a 27-yard touchdown on his lone carry during the fourth quarter to make it 24-6 and put the game out of reach.The victory ties the Seminoles longest winning streak in the Sunshine State Showdown series. They also won four straight from 1977-80 and 1987-90.Deondre Francois was 15 of 26 for 138 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown to Travis Rudolph during the third quarter to give the Seminoles a 17-6 lead. Francois also had a 9-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the final score.Florida took the opening kickoff and drove to the FSU 2, but on fourth-and-goal Appleby was pressured by safety Tre Marshall and threw an incomplete pass intended for Brandon Powell in the end zone.After driving 75 yards on its opening drive, the Gators could muster just 132 yards the rest of the game. Florida was also 0 of 12 on third-down conversions, and it was the first time since 1980 Florida State has shut out an opponent on third down. Appleby was 19 of 35 for 149 yards. Jordan Scarlett, who had three 100--yard games in his past five, was held to 53 yards.ddddddddddddloridas lone touchdown came during the fourth quarter as Marcell Harris recovered a fumbled punt by Auden Tate and returned it 12 yards for a score.THE TAKEAWAYFlorida: The Gators are hoping that another bad showing against their in-state rival doesnt carry through to their remaining two games. Last year they lost to Alabama in the SEC championship game and then were routed by Michigan (41-7) in the Citrus Bowl.?Florida State: The Seminoles, who were ranked fourth in the preseason, found their College Football Playoff hopes dashed in early October as they stumbled to a 3-2 start. However they did wrap up the mythical state championship yet again.POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Seminoles are likely to rise a couple spots after beating the Gators. The highest they were ranked after the Oct. 1 loss to North Carolina was 12th going into the Oct. 29 game against Clemson. Florida will fall but is likely to remain ranked going into the SEC championship game.UP NEXTFlorida: The Gators will face top-ranked Alabama for the second straight year in the SEC championship game next Saturday in Atlanta. It is a conference record 12th appearance for Florida in the title game.Florida State: The Seminoles are bowl eligible for the 35th consecutive season. They could find themselves in the Orange Bowl after Louisvilles loss and if Clemson advances to the College Football Playoff.--- ' ' '