DETROIT -- Erick Aybar heated up with the bat in recent weeks. The Detroit Tigers hope their newest acquisition can keep that going throughout their playoff push.The veteran infielder was acquired from the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday and inserted into the lineup on Wednesday. He went 0-for-3 but reached base on a walk and an error as the Tigers lost 4-1 to the Kansas City Royals.Aybar batted second and played shortstop, and he could play there regularly until Jose Iglesias recovers from an hamstring injury that landed him on the 15-day disabled list last week. Aybar also could get starts at third base with Nick Castellanos on the DL due to a broken hand.He was hitting .242 with the Braves but posted a .313 average since the All-Star break before joining Detroit.The main reason for this move is to upgrade our utility position, Tigers general manager Al Avila said when the deal was made. We feel Aybar could give us a little more offense.There is a good chance Aybar will be in the lineup once again when the Tigers open a pivotal four-game series with the red-hot Boston Red Sox on Thursday. The longtime Los Angeles Angels shortstop is glad to be back in a pennant race.Atlanta was a different mindset because of the (rebuilding) phase up there, he said through an interpreter. Coming here, its a totally different mindset. Youre trying to win.Detroit is desperate for a victory after getting swept by the Royals in a three-game series. Meanwhile, Boston extended its winning streak to six games with an 8-1, rain-shortened win at Baltimore on Wednesday.Left-hander Matt Boyd, who has been on an impressive run since the All-Star break, will start Thursdays matinee. Boyd (4-2) is 4-0 with a 2.22 ERA in his past six starts.He had an outing he would like to forget in his only previous start against the Red Sox. While still a member of the Toronto Blue Jays last year, Boyd didnt record an out while allowing seven runs on six hits and a walk.Boyd will be opposed by right-hander Clay Buchholz, who is temporarily back in the Boston rotation with All-Star Steven Wright on the DL due to a shoulder injury. Buchholz, who had been banished to a long relief role, started against Arizona on Saturday and lasted 4 1/3 innings while giving three runs.Buchholz (4-9) made some mechanical adjustments that have improved his outlook. He is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA in 10 career outings against Detroit, including eight starts.I think Ive found some stuff that I needed to work out, Buchholz told the Boston Herald. Release point and just arm strength overall. I think its gotten a little better as the weeks have gone on as I was moved out there (to the bullpen).Right fielder Mookie Betts kept his hot streak going Wednesday with three runs and two hits from the cleanup spot. Betts has at least one hit in all but one start since July 30, and he has hit five home runs over the past four games.He doesnt take on any added significance to the role or the spot in the lineup, Boston manager John Farrell said. Hes in some kind of spot right now the way hes seeing the baseball, the way hes making such hard contact.Boston will be seeking some revenge after getting swept by the Tigers in a three-game series at Fenway Park in late July. Sam Dyson Twins Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Tom Kelly Twins Jersey . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. https://www.cheaptwins.com/802t-brusdar-graterol-jersey-twins.html . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. Eddie Rosario Twins Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Ian Miller Twins Jersey . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. TUCSON, Ariz. -- Two games in and Arizona freshman Lauri Markkanen is already drawing high praise from his coach.Lauris one of the best players in college basketball, Sean Miller said. He is. Hes a monster.The 18-year-old 7-footer from Finland scored 26 points and the 10th-ranked Wildcats held off a furious second-half rally by Cal State Bakersfield for a 78-66 victory on Tuesday night.Jaylin Airington scored 31 for the Roadrunners (1-1) and led a 17-0 run that cut Arizonas lead to four with 9:04 to play. But Markkanen sank a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play and made a short jumper to lead the Wildcats out of trouble.Markkanen is accustomed to such moments.I am used to it, he said. Pretty much my whole life, in big moments, I have the ball in my hands.The already short-handed Wildcats (2-0) were without starting senior guard Kadeem Allen, who sprained a knee in Arizonas 65-63 victory over Michigan State last Friday in Honolulu.Rawle Alkins was 4 for 6 on 3-pointers and scored 15 for the Wildcats and Kobi Simmons added 13. Both also are freshmen.Dedrick Basile added 14 for BakersfieldHaving the opportunity to play a top 10 team is going to give us an opportunity to have some confidence coming out of this game, Roadrunners coach Rod Barnes said.Airington was 10 for 25 from the field, and Miller said its hard to get 25 shots in a college game. It wasnt enough.It was a good individual effort, Airington said, but I wanted to win more than anything.Arizona was up 44-26 at the half and was cruising along when a tip-in by yet another freshman, Keanu Pinder, gave the Wildcats a 53-32 lead with 14:45 to play. Arizona didnt score for the next 6:46.The McKale Center crowd fell into an uncomfortable silence when Damine Durhams basket cut the lead to 53-49 with 9:04 to play.A ruckus under the Arizona basket finally woke the Wildcats up.Chance Comanche went up for a layup and was hit hard by a pair of Bakersfield defenders. Some shoving occurreed with Comanche lying on the court and officials called time out to review the incident on video.ddddddddddddTaze Moore was called for a flagrant foul one and Comanche ended the long drought by making one of two free throws with 7:59 left. Arizona got the ball out of bounds on the play and Markkanen sank his only 3 of the night to boost the lead to 57-49.Playing small forward on Arizonas big front line, he drove hard down the lane, was fouled and converted a three-point play with 5:51 left and made a short jumper with 5:17 to go, giving the Wildcats a 64-54 lead and they held on from there.Lauris strong, Miller said. Hes not skinny, hes not thin. Hes 18 years old buy physically he can take a pounding and I think that really shows. He doesnt appear to be 7 foot because hes not a rail-thin 7-footer.His pull-ups that he made tonight, watching him go to the free throw line under pressure, hes a special, special player.Hes also a great team player and a good student.I dont think hes got a B at Arizona, Miller said. And practice-wise hes consumed with becoming a great player. Hes one of our teams hardest workers. ... Im so glad we have him.BIG PICTURECal State Bakersfield: The Roadrunners were not cowed by the atmosphere and look like WAC contenders.Arizona: After the opener against a big name school, the young Wildcats fell into a lull with a big lead. That might not have happened if Allen had been available.PLAYER SHORTAGEThe absence of Allen left Arizona with only seven scholarship players with a particular shortage at guard. It got even worse when Jackson-Cartwright got into foul trouble.UP NEXTCal State Bakersfield: returns home to face UC Santa Barbara Saturday night.Arizona: Plays the second of three straight home nonconference game against teams from lesser conferences, facing Sacred Heart on Friday night. ' ' '