HOUSTON -- The Astros entered their decisive series with their American League West division rivals Texas in need of a jolt, something to snap them from their recent doldrums and the Rangers dominance of the series.The Astros (57-52) had lost nine of 10 against the Rangers before coasting to a 5-0 victory in the opener Friday night. But their inability to succeed against Texas, as opposed to their 11-1 mark against the Angels, was something worthy of discussion with the division up for grabs.I think in a lot of ways you just have to play the game, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. I dont think theyre all related. I scoff at the idea of them having our number of the next time we play the Angels that theyre automatic wins. The fact that youve got to play the whole schedule, youve got to figure out ways to match up against them. This is a different team from when we played them earlier. Were a different team.Regardless of how weve gotten here theyre in sight. The challenge to beat them remains the same as it does whether theyve beaten us nine out of 10 or weve beaten them eight out of 10.Right-hander Doug Fister (10-7, 3.56 ERA) returns from the paternity list to start for the Astros. Fister is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two road starts against the Rangers this season and 5-5 with a 4.88 ERA in 12 career starts against Texas.The Rangers (63-47) counter with right-hander Lucas Harrell (3-2, 3.57 ERA with the Braves and Rangers), who makes his second career start with Texas on Saturday. It will mark his first career appearance against the Astros, for whom Harrell made 77 appearances from 2011-14.Texas has yet to fully discover its offensive stride following the non-waiver trade deadline acquisitions of Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy. Beltran, who started as the designated hitter for a fourth consecutive game, finished 1-for-4 on Friday night. He will start in right field Saturday for the first time with the Rangers.Lucroy was given the night off but will return behind the plate Saturday to catch Harrell. Lineup maneuverings aside, the Rangers need more of an offensive punch than they mustered against Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who tossed a three-hit shutout in the series opener.I think it was more of a story that they were able to get him a lead, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said of Keuchel. You get a guy of his caliber some runs to work with he can go to work. He was able to pound the strike zone, which early on our guys felt like we had a nice patient approach against Keuchel. First we got a little impatient for the last out of the first and also on the double-play ball. Look thats what he does.He can induce the groundball. I mean 19 groundball outs tonight, 16 of which were on the pull side which tells me that he was able to put the fastball where he wanted to, kept us off-balance with the slider.Nike Air Max 90 Sale .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Wholesale Nike Air Max 90 . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. https://www.cheapnikeairmax90china.us/ . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Fake Nike Air Max 90 . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Clearance Nike Air Max 90 . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets.RENTON, Wash. -- Russell Wilson believes joining an investment group looking to build a new NBA/NHL arena in Seattle is the first step toward his goal of eventually owning a piece of a professional sports franchise.The Seattle Seahawks quarterback talked at length Thursday about joining Chris Hansen in the attempt to get a new arena constructed in Seattles stadium district.He spoke for nearly 10 minutes before addressing a single football-related question as his involvement in the project has drawn nearly as much interest as his production on the field.Its one of those things that we need to make it happen, just because its a special thing. It will be for years and years to come, Wilson said. I want my kids to have that opportunity. Nothing better than going to an NBA basketball game and being able to see basketball players -- NHL game, theres so many great athletes. Theres so many other great things you can do in the new facility, too, as well. I think that will be really special.Wilson announced he was joining Hansens investment group on Monday. He said hes known Hansen for a couple of years and the timing was right for Wilson to formally join.It certainly doesnt hurt that Wilson signed a contract extension worth up to $87 million before the 2015 season, giving him the financial clout to be an investor. And his name gives an instant and significant public relations boost to a project that has faced road blocks from political figures.Ive been really authentic about wanting to own a team one day and being a part of something really special and doing that and even though Im young and that I definitely have a business mindset and I wantt to be able to help people and give back and help change this community, continue to change this community for the better, Wilson said.ddddddddddddHansen last month announced his intention to privately finance the proposed project in exchange for tax breaks. The offer would erase the public investment that was part of the original 2012 memorandum of understanding between Hansen and the city.The city has acknowledged Hansens intent while also opening a request for proposals for a possible renovation of KeyArena, the former home of the SuperSonics. The proposals are due in 2017.Wilson said the important task now is getting city approval to close down a street near where the proposed arena would be constructed. Wilson said he would lobby city officials if asked to try to build support for the project. He acknowledged the investment in the arena is the first step to someday having an ownership stake in a franchise.Those guys knew that I really wanted to be a part of owning a team one day. And obviously I cant own a team until we have a team. I cant be a part of that, Wilson said. So like I said, the first step was the arena part. And thats our focus right now. And then once we have an arena, then the goal is to obviously own a basketball team as part of it and have great people, great individuals, a great organization that helps change peoples lives, do great things in the community and hopefully win a lot of championships, too.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
