Simpson said.But to think hes going to be the saviour - I

MINNEAPOLIS -- Detroits makeup against Minnesota on Thursday felt like an American Legion game to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. Justin Upton said the game dragged because of a quiet and sparse crowd.Upton and the Tigers picked up another win in the AL wild-card chase, beating the Twins 9-2 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.These games matter. We should be into them regardless of whos in the stands, Upton said. But we snapped out of it and started getting some runs.Upton hit a tiebreaking homer off Alex Wimmers (1-3) in the seventh for a 2-1 lead. Jose Iglesias had a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Martinez, who had missed two straight games because of a swollen right knee, pinch hit had a three-run homer against Pat Light in a six-run ninth.Detroit began the day one game behind Baltimore for the ALs second wild card.The makeup of Wednesday nights rainout drew an announced paid crowd of 18,374, but there were far fewer people in the seats. Fans in the small crowd could be heard calling out to the players on several occasions.You can hear every single thing said in the stands, Ausmus said. When you have a big crowd, everything is kind of just a buzz. But you could hear every single thing said; they had some fairly good barbs thrown out.Anibal Sanchez allowed one run and two hits in five innings in a spot start, and Alex Wilson (4-0), Shane Green and Mark Lowe finished the five-hitter.Brian Dozier led off the bottom of the first with his 42nd homer, one behind major league leader Mark Trumbo of Baltimore.Minnesota dropped to a big league-worst 55-97, the Twins most losses since they went 63-99 in 2011. Twins starter Pat Dean gave up one run and three hits in five innings.The offense is having a tough time, Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. Were not putting much together. Some guys are scuffling. Were trying to find a way to create some offense. It just isnt happening right now.Detroits Justin Verlander (14-8) was to start against Ervin Santana (7-10) in the night game.AMONG SECONDSDozier has an AL record 40 homers as a second baseman, one more than Alfonso Sorianos total in 2002. Only Rogers Hornsby (42 in 1922), Davey Johnson (42 in 1973) and Ryne Sandberg (40 in 1990) have hit more.Dozier extended his hitting streak to 24 games, tied for the third-longest in Twins history.Its unfortunate for him that he hasnt been able to celebrate a lot of those home runs with the losses, Molitor said. Impressive run continues. Hitting streaks alive.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: 2B Ian Kinsler (concussion) had an on-field workout and could be cleared to play Friday if he feels well after the workout.Twins: DH/3B Miguel Sano (lower back tightness) was back in the lineup for the first time since Sept. 12. Molitor said Sano was still sore but was anxious to return. ... Molitor confirmed RHP Trevor May has a stress fracture in his back. May was 2-2 with a 5.27 ERA in 44 relief appearances. He made three trips to the DL with the injury, which hadnt been detected in previous exams.UP NEXTTigers: RHP Michael Fulmer (10-7) is to start Friday against Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy (12-2) in the opener of Detroits final homestand. Fulmer has lost four of his last six decisions and is 0-2 against Kansas City this season despite a 2.75 ERA in three starts.Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson (6-10) is slated to make his final home start of the season on Friday against Seattle, which will start LHP James Paxton (4-7). Cheap Luke Appling Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. http://www.cheapwhitesoxjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-ron-santo-jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Cheap Bobby Jenks Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Cheap Joe Crede Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Heres something that will scare the life out of the AFLs best ruckmen - Nic Naitanui has boosted his trademark big leap after losing 3kg during his injury lay-off.Naitanui has missed the past six games after undergoing surgery to relieve Achilles tendon pain, but the West Coast star will return in Sundays western derby against Fremantle at Domain Stadium.Eagles coach Adam Simpson says although Naitanuis leap is bigger than before, the team cant rely on him to be their saviour.West Coasts form has been patchy during Naitanuis absence, with last weeks upset loss to Collingwood putting a huge dent in their top-four hopes.Naitanui started the season in sizzling fashion.But his output started to wane as the pain from his Achilles tendon got worse.The 26-year-old was even reduced to using crutches after some games in a bid to ease the inflammation around the area.Naitanui eventually bit the bullet and had the plantaris tendon removed from each foot in a bid to avoid any future Achilles pain.And after losing weight and increasing the strength in his calves, Naitanui has surprised Eagles ruck coach Dean Cox with the size of his leap.I think it might have increased a little bit, Simpson said on Thursday.Losing a bit of weight and (being) pain-free, you can imagine what he can do.Its really exciting for him and the club.He almost put his foot through Coxys nose at training last week, so it probably told us hes ready to go.Naitanuis minutes will be limited against the Dockers as the Eagles ease him back to fuull match fitness.ddddddddddddWest Coasts midfield looked one-dimensional during Naitanuis absence.But Simpson knows the inclusion of Naitanui wont fix all of his sides woes.You want your good players playing, and hes a game-changer at his best, Simpson said.But to think hes going to be the saviour - I think its a stretch. If we have to rely on one player, that probably shows youve got a bit of work to do.West Coast sit one win adrift of fourth spot following last weeks shock loss to Collingwood.And with tough games against GWS (away), Hawthorn (home), and Adelaide (away) to come, the Eagles will need a major form reversal if they are to get themselves back into premiership contention.Fremantle also received a big boost on the selection front this week, with ruckman Aaron Sandilands and goal-sneak Hayden Ballantyne both set to return.Sandilands hasnt played since suffering a punctured lung and broken ribs during a marking collision with Naitanui in round three.Ballantyne has missed the past two games because of a fractured cheekbone.Sandilands has a history of performing strongly following long lay-offs.The 211cm ruckman tallied 18 disposals and 33 hit-outs in a win over Richmond in 2012 after missing the previous nine rounds through injury.He came in and dominated, so were hopeful of that, Dockers coach Ross Lyon said.And Hayden will be fresh, so thatll be interesting. 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