m either have or are tipped to represent England.Of course, th

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers insisted they were not concerned about their worst skid of the year a few hours before playing the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the AL championship series. Detroit later showed it still has what it takes to win with strong pitching, big hits and usually sound defence. Ian Kinsler and Torii Hunter hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning and Victor Martinez cleared the fences in the eighth, helping Detroit beat Boston 6-2 and end a season-high five-game losing streak Friday. "This was a good night for everyone," Drew Smyly said after pitching six strong innings. Detroit had lost 13 of 17 games, including the previous four, since sweeping the Red Sox on the road a few weeks ago. "Ive spoken to players a couple times over this stretch," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Theres no reason to throw a fit unless its a lack of effort or concentration. This stretch has not been caused by a lack of concentration or effort." Smyly (3-4) snapped a skid of his own. He was 0-2 in his last two starts, giving up a total of nine runs over nine innings, and was 0-3 in his previous six outings. The left-hander allowed two runs on five hits over six innings and struck out four, walking only one against the Red Sox. "He was locating his pitches and keeping us off balance," Boston centre fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. said after going 0 for 3 with three strikeouts. "He had command on both sides of the plate." Rubby De La Rosa, meanwhile, paid a steep price for letting some pitches sail too high. De La Rosa (1-1) gave up four runs, nine hits and two walks. He had five strikeouts over 5 2-3 innings. In his first start of the season, he threw seven scoreless innings against Tampa Bay last week. "I feel almost 100 per cent like last time," De La Rosa said. "I just missed more pitches." Boston has lost four straight after winning seven in a row. The Red Sox are averaging fewer than three runs during the losing streak. "Offensively, were scuffling," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Weve had a rough go with runners in scoring position." The Red Sox hope to end a trend this weekend. In their last seven series, they been swept four times and have won each game in the other three matchups. "We became so accustomed to being consistent," Farrell said. "The last two and a half weeks have been difficult." Kinsler and Hunter cleared the fences during a three-pitch sequence in the fifth, giving the Tigers a 4-1 lead. "They squared (De La Rosa) up when he was up in the strike zone," Farrell said. The Red Sox pulled within two runs in the sixth when Dustin Pedroia reached on Romines throwing error, advanced to third on David Ortizs single through the right side against a shifted infield and scored on Jonny Gomes sacrifice fly. Detroits Ian Krol and Joba Chamberlain each threw an inning of scoreless relief and Joe Nathan pitched the ninth in a non-save situation. NOTES: Tigers C Alex Avila is expected to miss Saturdays game after being hit in the head by Ortizs backswing in the eighth inning, and being replaced by Bryan Holaday. "Hes in a good humour, but he got stung pretty good," Ausmus said. ... Red Sox hitting coach Greg Colbrunn is expected to stay hospitalized in Cleveland for at least another week after he had bleeding in the area between his brain and the thin tissues covering it. Tim Hyers, Bostons minor league hitting co-ordinator, is filling in for Colbrunn while hes away from the team indefinitely. ... Tigers SS Eugenio Suarez was held out of the lineup to rest his sore left knee and Ausmus said he is "hour to hour," when asked for timetable on his return. ... The Tigers will send RHP Max Scherzer (6-2) to the mound against Red Sox LHP Jon Lester (6-6) on Saturday in a nationally televised game. ... Boston RHP Clay Buchholz (left knee) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday in Detroit, where Mike Napoli, who is on the DL with a sprained left finger, is expected to hit against him. Ray Bourque Bruins Jersey . Donald Young lost in straight sets to Israels Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-0. Querrey, ranked No. 61, is the second-highest ranked American, ahead of Johnson (64). Gerry Cheevers Jersey . Head coach Randy Carlyle confirmed the news after the Leafs morning skate on Monday. Kozun was hurt during Friday nights home game against the Red Wings and did not make the return trip to Detroit for Saturdays game. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/dav...-hockey-jersey/. The International Ice Hockey Federation says Pavlovs avoided a two-year sanction because he acted "without significant negligence in failing to verify the safety of the supplements he was taking. Charlie McAvoy Bruins Jersey .com) - Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of 16th-ranked Sooners 48-14 loss to No. Boston Bruins Jerseys . On the day the club activated Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list, his return from a strained oblique that cost him the first six weeks of the regular season, it announced Sergio Santos would be placed on the disabled list on Monday with discomfort in his right forearm.After picking up successive County Championship titles, Yorkshire have a target on their back. Theyre the team that everyone wants to beat but head coach Jason Gillespie insists that the challenge of winning a third title on the bounce is something to be embraced.Indeed, their 2014 triumph ended a 13-year wait for the prize - a minor delay compared to the 33 years that had passed since their last win prior to that - during which time they even suffered relegation to Division Two. Relative to that, the pressure of defending the title is no hardship at all. Were just embracing the challenge, Gillespie told Sky Sports ahead of Sundays Sky Live Championship match at Nottinghamshire.Weve put aside the fact that weve won two Championships - thats great but were just focusing on this summer and this season, and what we need to do to play good cricket. We see it as a massive challenge and something to be embraced.The other eight teams are the challengers. Weve had hard-fought draws against Hampshire and Warwickshire so we know that every team, every match, that we play in this division is going to be really difficult - a really strong challenge but were excited about that and were up for it. Jack Brooks, Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and Ryan Sidebottom celebrate Yorkshires 2015 County Championship win It is that attitude of relishing every opportunity to overcome any obstacle that is put in front of them that has seen Yorkshire rise so swiftly under the Australians leadership.Promotion in Gillespies first season at the helm in 2012 was followed by a second-place finish in 2013, in which they pushed eventual champions Durham all the way, before going one better in each of the past two seasons.In that time, the county has also brought through a talented group of young batsmen, many of whom either have or are tipped to represent England.Of course, the step up to international level is not without its difficulties and Yorkshire have seen a couple of their number struggle at the highest level.Namely, Gary Ballance and Adam Lyth, both of whom have returned to the county scene keen to regroup before pushing for an England recall. Adam Lyth good enough to thrive at international level, says Gillespie Theyve responded very positively, its been great, Gillespie said of the duo. The lads have worked really hard on their games.They understand, theyre grateful for the opportunity to play for their country and while it didnt quite work out for them, the advice from us has been simply: You are your own best selector, go out and score as many runs as you can, that gives you the best chance of being ppicked.ddddddddddddWere obviously very keen to see as many Yorkshire players representing England as possible. I certainly think Adam is good enough to succeed and thrive at international level.He didnt quite grasp his chance during the Ashes but all he can do is focus on scoring runs for Yorkshire and if an opportunity comes then Im sure hell grab it with both hands. Gary Ballance was dropped by England last summer The former Aussie quick was equally upbeat on Ballances chances, praising his dedication and insisting that he too is ready to take his chance if it comes.Hes been working on all facets of his game, added Gillespie. Theres been a lot of media talk and people offering advice and whatnot, but hes been working very hard with various coaches at Yorkshire on various aspects of his game.Hes been in fine touch so far in pre-season and this season and hes really excited about this summer ahead for Yorkshire.Perhaps the example both men can look to is Joe Root. The England star has recovered from being dropped from the side during the 2013/14 Ashes series to establish himself as one of the worlds leading batsmen. Joe Root is likely to feature for Yorkshire against Notts And the pair will have a chance to pick his brains in the coming weeks with Root set to make a rare appearance for Yorkshire in their Division One clash with Nottinghamshire.We dont really bank on having Joe at all so any time we do have him is an absolute bonus, said Gillespie.Its great that hes back and available for us for a couple of fixtures. We welcome him with open arms. Hes a great lad to have around and, obviously, a wonderful player.As for the match itself, Gillespie is expecting a difficult game at Trent Bridge but aims to ensure Yorkshire have done everything possible to go out and claim their first win of the campaign.Theyre a very good side. They had a good first win of the season and then they lost to Lancashire, he added.We know what a quality side they are and were certainly very respectful of that and we know its going to be a really tough challenge for us.Well do our best preparation, well do our research on their side and well work really hard to give ourselves the best chance of being successful.You can watch Yorkshire take on Nottinghamshire in Specsavers County Championship Division One live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Coverage starts at 10.30am on Sunday May 1. Also See: County XI of the week England stars in action CC Div One table Domestic fixtures/results ' ' '