DETROIT Frances gives Tigers time to recharge cells



Some players stayed behind in Florida to help their families.
DETROIT (AP) -- After scrambling to leave Florida before the arrival of Hurricane Frances, the Detroit Tigers believe their unexpected weekend off provided a much-needed breather.
"The rest feels good, to be honest with you," manager Alan Trammell said.
The Tigers practiced at Comerica Park on Sunday, two days after their weekend schedule was scrapped. The final two games in a three-game series against Tampa Bay were postponed until late September after Detroit won the opener 4-2 Friday night.
"This is two days off and it really should help," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "We got to relax and regain our composure after what's been kind of a rough stretch. It's a good time to regroup, and even though we're not in the running for the playoffs, it's more a pride thing, that we want to finish as high as we can."
Team's standing
The Tigers are 62-72 and in fourth place in the American League Central. Before beating the Devil Rays, Detroit had lost six of seven.
The Tigers took Saturday off before practicing Sunday in preparation for a four-game home series with the Kansas City Royals starting today.
Many players missed Sunday's session. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez stayed in Florida to tend to family matters, and so did outfielder Alex Sanchez. Outfielder Bobby Higginson and pitcher Craig Dingman didn't practice because of illness, and pitcher Ugueth Urbina remained in his native Venezuela, where his mother was kidnapped last week.
Trammell said he has not heard from Urbina and had no new information on the situation.
"Hopefully his mom will come up safe. It's like the worst nightmare," Trammell said. "I really can't imagine. I wish I had some news."
Bolted
The Tigers left Florida almost immediately after Friday night's game.
"I've never seen guys get out of there so quickly," Trammell said. "I'm just thankful we could still go. They said our plane was leaving, with or without us."
Hurricane Frances disrupted dozens of sports events across Florida. The Florida Marlins' three-game series against the Chicago Cubs was postponed, and today's football game between No. 5 Florida State and No. 6 Miami was rescheduled for Friday.
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