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DETROIT -- Daniel Norris recently changed his delivery and the results give him hope for a strong finish to a mostly disappointing season.The Detroit Tigers second-year left-hander tossed a season-high 6 1/3 innings in his last start on Thursday and notched his second victory of the year. Norris recorded a season-high 12 outs on ground balls and didnt walk anybody in an 8-5 victory over Minnesota.Norris, who will try to build off that effort when he faces the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, credits pitching coach Rich Dubee for his improvement.Dubee and I have been working on extending through the ball and finishing my delivery, rather than recoiling and cutting off, he said. In doing that, its helping me get lower in the zone. That obviously leads to ground ball outs. Its just a matter of attacking guys early and making them get themselves out.Injuries have derailed Norris a good portion of the season, most recently a right oblique strain. He feels hes rounding into form for the teams homestretch as it tries to stay in the playoff hunt.Im definitely where I want to be, he said. Its a matter of going out there and pitching my game and getting on a good roll. I know when I do that, I can be as good as anybody and help this team win. Thats what I really look foward to -- feeling that confidence out there and trusting my stuff.Detroit began a stretch of playing 26 of 29 games against Central Division opponents. The Tigers won the opener against the White Sox 4-3 and remained 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland, which won 1-0 over Minnesota in extra innings on Monday.Were at a point we still kind of control our destiny, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. It may come to a point where we need someone elses help but right now, weve just got to win games.The Tigers may be without centerfielder Cameron Maybin for a while. Maybin aggravated a thumb injury and left Mondays game early. X-rays were negative but hell undergo an MRI on Tuesday.The White Sox also began a long stretch within the division -- 21 consecutive games. Chicago has perked up lately, winning six of its last eight games prior to Mondays loss. That mini-surge has given the White Sox at least faint hope of reentering the postseason picture.Weve been playing good baseball lately, Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. Weve scored some runs and weve had some great starting pitching. When you get that, you have a chance. Offensively, if we keep that up, theres a shot in there to make a run, especially when youre playing within your division a lot going into the last month.Ventura was relieved that leadoff hitter Adam Eaton was healthy enough to return to the lineup on Monday. Eaton, who left Sundays game against Seattle with a bruised right forearm, went 0-for-4 with a walk.The White Sox will try to bounce back from Mondays defeat, when setup reliever Nate Jones gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.Nates been as consistent as anybody, Ventura said. Its a tough one, especially when hes out there and hes got (good) stuff. Saltys gotten us a couple of times lately. That ones a tough one because you feel like youve grinded your way through it.Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo will make his fourth start for the White Sox on Tuesday. Hes 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA while allowing five home runs since being acquired from Texas.Jaromir Jagr Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. 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Munenori Kawasaki had hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to pull his Blue Jays even with the Orioles, paving the way for Rajai Davis walk off single that would come two innings later. Toronto had won its ninth in a row, by a score of 7-6, and had gotten to .500 for the first time all season. Kawasakis fingerprints were all over the victory. With interpreter Yashushi Kikuchi of Kyodo News by his side, Kawasaki chose not to lean on his native tongue. He wished to describe in broken English his big hit and the subsequent crowd reaction. "Very happy and appreciate, thank you appreciate," said Kawasaki. "Yeah. Thank you, appreciate." It was Kawasakis first career home run in his 118th major league game. It came just days after an in jest debate on TSN 1050s "Macko & Cauz" show about a legitimate question: Did Kawasaki possess the ability to hit a home run in a major league park? The answer this writer gave was "no." This writer was wrong. Not only could Kawasaki drive a ball 380 feet, his knack for timing couldnt be ignored. "I would say that its no surprise but that home run was a surprise Ive got to say," said starter R.A. Dickey, who was taken off the hook by Kawasakis dinger. "The legend grows, you know. The Kawasaki legend grows and rightfully so." Who knows how Blue Jays fans will remember the summer of 2013. That chapter of this once depressing, suddenly thrilling yet perfectly even ride (see the record of 36-36) hasnt been written. What was made clear by the "Kawasaki" chants from 35,472 fans at Rogers Centre, the chants which darn near shook the building, is that the spring of 2013 belonged to Kawasaki. Edwin Encarnacions all-star caliber first half of 20 home runs and 59 RBI hasnt captured the imagination quite like Kawasaki, nor has Caseey Janssens leadership of a dominant bullpen or Adam Linds offensive brilliance.dddddddddddd Why is it that Munenori Kawasaki captivates? First, Kawasaki represents an idealism which often isnt reality. He exudes true joy. He is playful in a sport thats big business. His teammates are drawn to him. An example youve seen repeatedly: Kawasaki makes a put out and then turns to face Melky Cabrera in left field. The two bow to each other. Its how two men, one of whom speaks Japanese, the other of whom speaks Spanish and neither of whom speaks English well, communicate. Kawasaki draws out a side of Cabrera, a likable type but naturally shy, fans wouldnt otherwise see. Second, during his time in Toronto Kawasaki has maximized his talent. Hell never have the power of Jose Bautista; his throwing arm wont be mistaken for Jose Reyes. Think back to the April days immediately after Reyes got hurt. Alex Anthopoulos, a general manager notorious for keeping his cards close to his vest, was openly musing about the need to make a trade for a defensive shortstop. Little did he know Kawasaki would more than ably fill the role; a trade never was made. Even the statistics come up Kawasaki. Coming in to Friday night, having appeared in 56 games, he had a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) rating of 1.1. Hes the replacement whos played above replacement level. With Reyes due to return to the Blue Jays lineup no later than Monday in Tampa Bay, Kawasakis fate hangs in the balance. The natural move would be to activate Reyes and option Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo. He can be recalled, after all. But manager John Gibbons wont commit one way or the other. Maybe the underdog has given the brass something to chew on. "Hes added a lot, off the field," said Gibbons. "The teammates love him, the fans love him. You cant help it. You know, hes contributed big time on the field with some key hits here and there, good fundamental baseball." One things for sure, if Kawasaki goes, the Orioles wont mind. He seems to have their number. ' ' '