DETROIT -- Dave Dombrowskis latest trade also felt like one of his most predictable. Matt Slauson Jersey . There was simply no way the Detroit general manager was going to sit idly by without addressing his teams bullpen. "Weve been working on trying to find someone in the bullpen for an extended period," Dombrowski said. "Its something weve been focused on for a while. For the month of July, at least." The Tigers added one of the games better relievers in a trade earlier this week, acquiring Joakim Soria from Texas, but that may only be the beginning of a significant overhaul in the way Detroit approaches the late innings. Manager Brad Ausmus stuck with his usual routine in Thursday nights win over the Los Angeles Angels, using Joba Chamberlain in the eighth and Joe Nathan in the ninth. But with Soria in the fold, Ausmus now has more options. Detroits bullpen woes are nothing new. The Tigers finally gave up on Jose Valverde as their closer last year, letting Joaquin Benoit handle that role instead. Benoit pitched well, but the grand slam he allowed to Bostons David Ortiz was perhaps the defining moment of baseballs entire post-season in 2013. Benoit left via free agency, and Detroit signed Nathan, who was coming off a sparkling season with the Rangers. The 39-year-old right-hander has slipped badly this year. Even after striking out the side to close out a 6-4 win Thursday, his ERA was an unsightly 5.73. Nathan has shown mild signs of improvement, posting a 3.68 ERA in his last 15 appearances, striking out 21 in 14 2-3 innings in that span. But statistically, Soria has been better this year than any of Detroits current relievers -- and the Tigers gave up a couple promising young arms to get him. Ausmus says hes keeping Nathan and Chamberlain in their usual roles for now -- but Sorias presence means the Detroit manager doesnt have to be overly patient with anyone. Soria struck out 42 with only four walks this season with Texas. As desperate as theyve seemed for bullpen help, the Tigers didnt have to do anything totally irrational to acquire it. Thursdays victory gave Detroit a seven-game lead in the AL Central. The Tigers have had an unusual season. Theyve had winning streaks of eight, seven, six and five, but they also went through a 9-20 stretch that briefly knocked them out of first place. "Even if you win 95 games -- which is real good -- youre losing 67. And there are streaks attached to that," Dombrowski said. "Were a little streakier than I thought we would be as far as losses are concerned. You dont really expect us with our starting pitching staff ... usually when you have strong starting pitching, and some good offence, which we have, that puts sort of a stop to those streaks." The starting rotation has been a strength of this team for the last couple years. Now, the goal is to assemble a bullpen that will enable the Tigers to succeed in tight games when runs are scarce. Chamberlain has been solid in his first season with the Tigers, and the addition of Soria should certainly help. But even if Nathan pitches better, Detroit could probably still use more depth. Left-handed relievers Ian Krol and Phil Coke have generally been erratic. If the Tigers reach the post-season, they could move lefty Drew Smyly from the rotation to the bullpen, where he excelled last year. But there could still be more moves on the way between now and then. "Were still open-minded to getting better," Dombrowski told reporters on a conference call after trading for Soria. "Our bullpen has been a situation that has been our major focus and I guess would continue to be our major focus if we are going to do something." Eric Ebron Jersey . However, Jim Popp isnt sure how long hell be able to admire wide receiver Duron Carter. Marshall Faulk Jersey . So what happens? Stevenson lands a huge left to Dawsons temple only 76 seconds into the opening round and walks away with the championship belt. "I said Id knock him out," said Stevenson (21-1). http://www.coltsfansshop.com/Colts-Peyton-Manning-Draft-Jersey/ . The Canucks figured to be active prior to Wednesdays trade deadline, getting a jump on things the previous day when they dealt goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers for netminder Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias.Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Craig Smith scored at 2:46 of overtime as the Nashville Predators nabbed a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. Colorado had tied the game on Nick Holdens goal with 36 seconds left in regulation, but Nashville was still able to win the game shortly after Carter Hutton made a tough save on a Zach Redmond one-timer. The Predators skated down the other way and Mike Ribeiro sent a saucer pass from the right boards to the left for Smith, who skated down the middle and snapped a wrister past Semyon Varlamov for the victory. Filip Forsberg, Colin Wilson and Roman Josi all scored while Ribeiro posted three assists for the Predators, who had lost their final two games before the All-Star break. Hutton stopped 21 shots in the win. Jarome Iginla and Cody McLeod also scored in addition for the Avalanche, who have lost three of their last four games. Varlamov stopped 35 shots. Colorado drew first blood when Redmond threw a shot on net from the right point that McLeod tipped in at 11:52 of the first. Denzelle Good Jersey. . The Predators tied the game at 3:33 of the second as Josi threw it in from the right point and the team took a 2-1 lead 10 minutes later on the power play when Wilson snapped home a rebound from the left side. Colorado tied the game at 16:05 of the second on a one-timer from Iginla off a drop pass from Matt Duchene along the right wing. Just 32 seconds into the third, though, Nashville went back on top when Forsberg shot home his own rebound off a rush play down the right wing. With the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the Avs tied the game with 36 seconds showing on the clock after Holden put home a rebound in front of the net. Game Notes Nashville plays in St. Louis on Thursday ... Colorado hosts Nashville on Friday ... Nashville went 1-for-2 on the power play, while Colorado was 0- for-2 ... SHea Weber posted two assists for Nashville. 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