OAKLAND, Calif. Michael Porter Nuggets Jersey . -- Two of the American Leagues top teams have struggling closers who are accustomed to being among the best in baseball. Joe Nathan held on through another rocky ninth inning for his 13th save a day after blowing one, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Thursday for a split of the four-game series between division leaders. "If Joes on youre going to have quick outs. Hes been one of the best closers, he had an unbelievable year last year," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "If hes on, hell get quick outs. It just wasnt today." On the other side, Oaklands Jim Johnson -- the 2013 AL saves leader -- walked off the mound to boos from the home crowd after allowing two runs in the seventh. He is pitching in lower-pressure situations for now. "What am I supposed to do?" he said of the crowd treatment. "I dont know what to tell you. Balls are finding holes. Im throwing pretty good pitches, I just feel like Im in a little bit of bad luck. I dont think its as bad as it really seems. I think everybody else thinks that way." Miguel Cabrera hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fifth to back Rick Porcellos eighth victory. Porcello (8-2) overcame a career-high six walks, three shy of his season total coming into Thursdays start. Nathan allowed Josh Donaldsons leadoff double, an RBI infield single by Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddicks run-scoring double before pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie grounded out to end the game. It was Nathans first outing since he surrendered Donaldsons game-ending three-run homer in Wednesdays 3-1 loss for his fourth blown save opportunity. "You guys can get the guys that did their part. You can write whatever you want," Nathan said. Victor Martinez doubled home two runs in the seventh and Cabrera also had an RBI groundout for the Tigers, who head to Seattle for the weekend before returning home. Nick Punto hit a two-run homer in the fourth for Oakland, which wasted chances all game to lose for only the seventh time in 20 games. Porcello moved into second place in the American League for wins behind Torontos Mark Buehrle. He did just enough this time, coming off his second loss of the year Saturday against Texas in which he was tagged for eight runs and 12 hits in 5 1-3 innings. "Its no secret I was all over the place," Porcello said. "I was fortunate to get out of some of the innings." Porcello improved to 5-1 on the road. He allowed five hits and two runs with four strikeouts in 5 2-3 innings. Oakland starter Jesse Chavez (4-3) lost consecutive starts for the first time this season following a two-game winning streak. His pitch count went up in a hurry. The right-hander walked two of his first three batters but escaped a rough first inning unscathed. After Ian Kinsler lined out to start the game, Chavez walked the next two and received a mound visit from pitching coach Curt Young after going to 2-0 on cleanup hitter Victor Martinez. Martinez then singled and J.D. Martinez grounded into an inning-ending double play. The As left the bases loaded in the second and sixth innings, and also squandered scoring chances in the first, fifth and seventh. They had the tying run on second and go-ahead run on first to end the game, leaving 14 on base in all. "We had plenty of opportunities," manager Bob Melvin said. "We had some situational at-bats where we didnt come through." AL Central-leading Detroit, which eliminated the two-time defending AL West champion As in a five-game division series each of the past two Octobers, won for just the third time in 11 games following a six-game winning streak. NOTES: Tigers OF Rajai Davis was held out of the lineup with lingering soreness in his left shoulder that he hurt while diving for a fly ball during the second inning Wednesday night. ... Ausmus decided to give 38-year-old Torii Hunter an unscheduled day off. "Weve got to give him a day off because hes an old man," Ausmus joked. "We need him for the long haul." ... As setup man Ryan Cook, on the DL since May 9 with a forearm strain, threw a bullpen session and could begin a rehab assignment within the next week. ... Tigers OF Andy Dirks has been throwing long toss from 120 feet as he continues to recover from lower back surgery. ... Oakland LHP Drew Pomeranz (4-2), who pitches the series opener against the Angels on Friday, has won three of his four starts since being moved into the rotation. ... Tigers ace Justin Verlander (5-4) takes the mound at Seattle on Friday trying to snap a two-start losing streak. Jamal Murray Nuggets Jersey . On Wednesday night, they showed that stellar defence and a little small ball can get the job done too. With pinch-runner Kevin Pillar aboard after Dioner Navarro opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, Anthony Gose dropped down an excellent bunt along the first-base line. Jarred Vanderbilt Nuggets Jersey . And all things considered, the first 40 games have offered a little bit of everything from a hockey club that faced many questions in its first year under new management, with a new head coach and with a number of new faces in the lineup. However, with a recent dip in scoring, it seems some of the same old questions persist and several new ones have been raised after a somewhat troubling homestand. http://www.nuggetsprostore.com/kids-michael-porter-nuggets-jersey/ . Sure, Josh Browns 45-yard field goal on the third drive of overtime lifted the New York Giants to a 23-20 win over Detroit on Sunday. But the Lions (7-8) dropped themselves out of the NFC North race by losing five of their last six games, blowing fourth-quarter leads in each setback.SAN FRANCISCO - The big man they call MadBum is a playoff MVP.Madison Bumgarner was chosen Most Valuable Player of the NL Championship Series on Thursday night following his latest display of post-season poise for the San Francisco Giants.The 25-year-old lefty tossed eight solid innings in Game 5 and took home the prize after San Francisco rallied for a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Travis Ishikawas three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.Im thankful and blessed to have the opportunity for this. I dont know that Im 100 per cent deserving of it, Bumgarner said. Theres plenty of guys that deserve it, also. Were just excited to be moving on.Bumgarner pitched shutout ball in a Game 1 win at St. Louis, getting the Giants off to a fast start in a best-of-seven series they won 4-1.Now, theyre headed back to the World Series for the third time in five years, looking to add to the championships they captured in 2010 and 2012.Bumgarner and the Giants will open the Fall Classic in Kansas City on Tuesday night.I really like the group of guys that we have here, and its going to be a fun series, said Bumgarner, who earned a $75,000 bonus for winning the award.He gave up two homers in Game 5 against St. Louis but retired his final 13 batters to keep the Giants close, winding up with a no-decision.Hes just so consistent, he really is, catcher Buster Posey said. It doesnt matter the situation, thats what makes him so good.Aside from an uncharacteristic blip in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against Washington, the shaggy-haired southpaw has beeen stellar in his third post-season. Thomas Welsh Nuggets Jersey. The Giants remarkable 10-game post-season winning streak ended on one bad toss by their best pitcher when Bumgarners wild throw past third base after fielding a bunt helped the Nationals rally.San Francisco still advanced, and Bumgarner went 7 2-3 innings for a 3-0 victory in the NLCS opener at Busch Stadium.Hes unbelievable, third base coach Tim Flannery said. He didnt have his best stuff tonight, but he battles and he competes. You can hear it on the bench when he comes in, its like, If we hold em, were going to win. Then all you need is a little momentum.The 18-game winner has thrived in this post-season for a Giants team down a pair of pitching stars that helped carry them to their previous two titles. Right-hander Matt Cain is recovering from elbow surgery, and Tim Lincecum was demoted to the bullpen and has not been used in October.At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Bumgarner is a huge reason the Giants keep winning.He tossed a four-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in an 8-0 victory at Pittsburgh in the NL wild-card game, and has kept that momentum going.Now, he gets to lead the Giants into the World Series for a third time — and he has certainly shined on that stage before.The two-time All-Star has thrown 15 scoreless innings in World Series play, winning both his starts while striking out 14 and yielding five total hits.Pretty dominant stuff.Weve got a lot of guys thats been through this, Bumgarner said. They know what to expect and they are not afraid of the moment.Just like MadBum. ' ' '