ract as a free agent during the offseason, has endured arguably the toughest offensive year of his career. He has shown signs recently of breaking

DETROIT -- Justin Upton has established a reputation for being a streaky hitter. Hes still waiting for one of those big hot streaks to come along in a Detroit Tigers uniform.Upton, who signed a six-year, $132 million contract as a free agent during the offseason, has endured arguably the toughest offensive year of his career. He has shown signs recently of breaking out, including a home run against Minnesota on Monday that turned out to be a game-winner in a 1-0 shutout.He nearly had another Tuesday, but his 415-foot shot was caught at the center field wall. Upton did have a single, nudging his season average to .237.Upton has 10 homers in 88 games. He has averaged 27.3 homers in the last three seasons, so a power binge during the second half could be on the horizon.History says its a possibility, Upton said. When those things happen, you never know theyre coming, so I dont anticipate it or search for it. I go out every day and compete. Thats all I can do.Hell get another shot on Wednesday, when the Tigers play the finale of the three-game against Minnesota. The Twins collected a 6-2 victory on Tuesday.If the pressure of living up to a big contract has weighed down Upton, he hasnt felt it.Coming in here and going into spring training, I went about my business the way Ive always done, he said. Things havent worked out. Its a new league and Im trying to find my way. I feel like day in and day out Ive tried to do things to help the ballclub. At the end of the day, I can hang my hat on that.Justin Verlander, Detroits starter for Wednesdays matinee, has been hanging up some impressive stats lately. He has won seven of his last nine decisions, including his first start after the All-Star break when he struck out 10 Kansas City batters.Hell be opposed by another veteran, Ervin Santana. Hes pitched well of late, going 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in his last five starts. The loss came in his last outing, when he gave up three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings to Cleveland and was struck in the left arm by a line drive.Santana said Tuesday hes fine while pointing toward the bruised area.I have a lot of positive things from the last few outings, said Santana, who is 3-8 with a 4.12 ERA. I threw a lot of strikes and kept the ball down for the most part.He has been sharp historically against Detroit, going 9-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 16 career starts.I know theyre a very aggressive team, he said. I just try to keep the ball down because if you miss, you know where its going to go. You have to be careful from the leadoff (man) to the ninth.Manager Paul Molitor is trying to be more aggressive to spark his teams often punchless offense. The Twins scored eight runs in their first four games after the break before Tuesdays six-run outburst.You look for it, but you dont want to force it, Molitor said. Im trying to put people in motion. 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Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. https://www.cheapangels.com/ .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Angels Jerseys China .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Los Angeles Angels Pro Shop .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play.Man City were nowhere near good enough as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday, according to former City player Kit Symons. Fernandos own goal at the Bernabeu secured a 1-0 aggregate victory for Real, setting up an all-Spanish final against Atletico Madrid in Milan. Pellegrini: Real were lucky Pellegrini felt neither side deserved to win after Real Madrid reached the Champions League final A score draw would have been enough to see City progress after a goalless first-leg at the Etihad, but Manuel Pellegrinis side managed just one shot on target as they exited the competition. Fernando deflected Gareth Bales cross for the only goal of the game They went with a 0-0 and were still in with a chance, but on the night they were nowhere near good enough, Symons told Sky Sports News HQ.Real Madrid were by far and away the better team and I think even the most die-hard Man City fan would agree with that. Manuel Pellegrini felt his side did not deserve to lose City knocked out Dynamo Kiev and Paris Saint-Germain on their way to the semi-finals for the first time in the clubs history, and Symons said City can be proud of the progress made under outgoing boss Pellegrini.ddddddddddddManchester City have done really well overall in this tournament to reach this stage of the competition, and thats progress and great for the club, he added. Zidane: City made it hard Zinedine Zidane insists Manchester City made it difficult for Real Madrid But the way they went out over the two legs will be a little bit disappointing for City fans. In the first leg, Cristiano Ronaldo wasnt playing and Karim Benzema wasnt fully fit, and they had a great opportunity to take something to the Bernabeu to hold. Also See: Own goal knocks out City R Madrid 1-0 Man City recap Kompany limps out of Real clash Get a ￡10 free bet! ' ' '