MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers slipped back toward the pack in the wild-card race with an ill-timed stretch this month of 10 losses in 13 games.They found the perfect tonic on this trip to Minnesota, using the last-in-the-league Twins as a launching pad for their playoff push.James McCann had a three-run homer among his four hits, Daniel Norris pitched into the seventh inning and the Tigers completed a sweep with an 8-5 victory on Thursday for the Twins seventh straight defeat.Our pitching is solid, especially in the second half, manager Brad Ausmus said, but were built to slug and its nice to see it.The Tigers, who are 10-2 against the Twins this year, stretched their winning streak at Target Field to eight games.We needed this for sure, Norris said. Weve kind of been up and down a little bit, but anytime you win three in a row thats always good.Norris (2-2) struck out five in 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits without a walk in his longest and strongest start this season. He took a shutout in the sixth, surrendering RBI singles by Robbie Grossman and Eduardo Escobar over his last two innings.It showed me I can go out there and compete without my best stuff and get deep into games, Norris said.Jose Berrios (2-4) finished five innings, but the organizations top pitching prospect gave up six runs on six hits and five walks in his ninth major league start and was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after the game. Tyler Duffey, the starter on Wednesday, was sent down, too.Im surprised. However, I do understand the decision, Berrios said through an interpreter. I do understand they want me to go down there and gain more confidence in what Im doing.His ERA actually dropped four percentage points to an unsightly 9.24.Young players struggling up here, manager Paul Molitor said, it takes its toll.Catcher Juan Centeno made a mound visit three batters into the game after Berrios issued back-to-back walks, and Ian Kinslers two-run double in the second sent the Tigers on their way.McCanns two-out, three-run drive into the flower bed above right-center field pushed the lead to 6-0 in the third inning. He missed the cycle by a triple.It definitely feels good to have another day like this, McCann said, and constantly making hard contact is all Im really looking for.Victor Martinez went 3 for 4 with two RBI for the Tigers, raising his career batting average at Target Field to .370 in 46 games. Hes 16 for 26 there this year and has scored seven runs in six games.Max Keplers two-run double punctuated a three-run eighth for the Twins, giving him 55 RBI to lead AL rookies, but the Twins finished 2-8 at home in August while allowing an average of 7.9 runs per game.Francisco Rodriguez preserved the victory by striking out two in a perfect ninth for his 35th save in 38 opportunities.STREAK STOPPEDJ.D. Martinezs 14-game hitting streak, the longest active run in the league and tied for the longest of his career, ended with a 0-for-5 afternoon. He was the only Tigers starter not to reach base. In 21 games since coming off the disabled list, Martinez is still batting .410 with six home runs.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: With Jose Iglesias expected back on Friday from a DL stint for a strained left hamstring, Ausmus said hell still play Erick Aybar at SS at times. Casey McGehee will continue to be the regular 3B with Nick Castellanos out.Twins: Miguel Sano was the DH again, with a sore elbow that has kept him from playing 3B for a week. Molitor said he doesnt believe Sano is confident enough yet to make the long corner throws.UP NEXTTigers: RHP Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.38 ERA), who ranks second in the league in strikeouts and innings, will take the mound on Friday at home against the Angels. RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-11, 5.22 ERA) will start for Los Angeles.Twins: LHP Pat Dean, subbing for an injured Hector Santiago, will pitch on Friday at Toronto. Dean (1-3, 5.48 ERA) last started for the Twins on June 17. Hell face former Twins LHP Francisco Liriano (6-12, 5.21 ERA), who was recently acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh. This will be Lirianos fourth start for the Blue Jays. Wholesale Saucony Shoes Outlet . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Discount Saucony Shoes Outlet . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. http://www.sauconyoutletonline.com/ . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Cheap Saucony Shoes Outlet . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. China Saucony Shoes Outlet . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. LAHAINA, Hawaii -- Oregon and Connecticut were both in the Top 25 at the start of the season, but both could be out of the rankings next week.The Ducks reached their highest spot ever in the Associated Press poll at No. 4 on Nov. 15, but then lost to unranked Baylor and Georgetown.Were unranked now, Oregon coach Dana Altman said after a 65-61 loss to the Hoyas in the first round of the Maui Invitational on Monday. I dont know who the heck we think we are.The 13th-ranked Ducks bounced back to beat Tennessee 69-65 in overtime Tuesday to improve to 3-2.We are not playing very well, but we had to find a way to win the game, Altman said.Oregon will wrap up its week at the Lahaina Civic Center on Wednesday against Connecticut (2-3), which beat Chaminade 93-82 on Tuesday. The Huskies were ranked No. 16 in the preseason but fell out of the polls after losses to Northeastern and Wagner.I thought our guys played extremely well, UConn coach Kevin Ollie said after the win over Chaminade. They did not get down on themselves.Sophomore guard Jalen Adams nearly had a triple-double with 25 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds against Chaminade. He is averaging 29.5 points in two games during the tournament as he prepares to face the Ducks.We aare definitely looking forward to playing a Top 20 team, Adams said.dddddddddddd It is a good challenge to see where we are at. We think we can play with the best teams.Oregon and Connecticut were both disappointed after losing their opener in Maui, but the winner will go home with a two-game winning streak.Theyve got a good team, Ollie said of the Ducks. They havent been playing well as of late, but theyve got a lot of great guys. Weve got to come in and focus on our game plan.Oregon got all-conference forward Dillon Brooks back after he missed the first three games of the season following foot surgery. The 6-foot-7 junior led the Ducks with 17 points in the win over Tennessee.Im feeling great, Brooks said. My foot doesnt hurt at all. Im just ready for the next game and ready to get back and work with these guys and get better to get to that level that we need to be at.Altman would like to see his team get back to the level that took the Ducks to the Elite Eight last season.We obviously read too many press clippings and we are not playing anywhere near that level were capable of playing, he said. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '