HLG (Hermes) » six hits. Paul Maurice had another stat in his post-game

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Robbie Grossman and the Houston Astros finally got to Yu Darvish -- and moved out of last place in the AL West. Grossman snapped an 0-for-28 slide with a career-high four hits as the Astros completed a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers with an 8-4 victory over the All-Star pitcher who dominated them so many times in the past. "The way we came into here, after losing seven in a row, for our guys to respond the way they responded in this three-game series, Im extremely proud of them," manager Bo Porter said. Grossman and rookie George Springer homered for the Astros, who moved into fourth place by a percentage point over slumping Texas. It is the first time in their two seasons since switching leagues that the Astros have not been in fifth place in the five-team AL West after mid-April. "When you look at where were at today, obviously we feel like we have improved as a ballclub," Porter said. "At the same time, when we get to the end of the year, well see where were at. It definitely feels good to be playing good baseball right now." Springer also made an incredible running catch in the third inning. The centre fielder leaped on the warning track, reached over his head and held onto the ball when he slammed into the wall. Houston had 28 runs and 42 hits in the series against its in-state rival that won 17 of 19 against the Astros last season. The Rangers lost for the 10th time in 11 games and have dropped 18 of 21 overall. At 38-53, their .418 winning percentage is the worst in the majors -- just behind Arizona and Houston, both 39-54 for a .419 mark. "Its been really tough. Its been frustrating," outfielder Alex Rios said. "This is a season that I believe that were all going to remember in a bad way." Dallas Keuchel (9-5), one of five candidates in Internet balloting for the final spot on the AL All-Star team, allowed four runs and eight hits over 6 2-3 innings. While it wasnt his best performance, he was happy to beat the Rangers. "Just because theyve beaten us up the last couple years," Keuchel said. "Theyve been the big brother, of sort." Darvish (8-5), who had thrown 20 consecutive scoreless innings while winning his last three home starts, gave up a season-high 10 hits and six runs. He struck out eight and needed 109 pitches to get through six innings. Against Houston at home in April, Darvish allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings. The Japanese ace also had two near no-hitters on the road against the Astros last season, one in which he retired the first 26 batters. Carlos Corporan had a two-run double in the sixth to break a 4-all tie. An inning later, Springer hit his 19th homer, a two-run shot off reliever Jason Frasor. Grossmans solo homer, about 329 feet into the right-field corner, made it 4-all with two outs in the fifth. He also had a double in the first inning and an RBI single in the third. Before getting recalled this week by the Astros, Grossman had an 18-game hitting streak at Triple-A Oklahoma City. But he was hitless in a span of 28 at-bats in the majors after going 0 for 4 on Tuesday night to start his third stint with Houston this season. Adrian Beltre extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI single in the Texas first. The All-Star third baseman is batting .494 (38 for 77) in his last 20 home games, and is second in the AL at .336 overall. Houston took a 2-1 lead in the second when Corporan hit a two-out double before Enrique Hernandez tripled and scored on a wild pitch. "The team is in a skid, but Im telling you, theyre playing," Texas manager Ron Washington said. " Were not pitching very well. ... We just dont have a sustainable offence to support whats going on right now." NOTES: Springer also made a running catch in the right-centre gap to end the third. ... Beltre was called out on strike three in the third when he stepped out of the box but wasnt granted time. When he came to bat in the sixth, Beltre had an animated conversation with plate umpire Bill Miller. Under Armour Shoes Sale .com) - On the bright side, either the Minnesota Wild or Buffalo Sabres will end their losing streak on Thursday night. Under Armour Shoes Australia . Scrivens stopped 48 shots and captain Andrew Ference scored in overtime as the Oilers pulled off a 4-3 upset of the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. http://www.cheapunderarmouraustralia.com/. -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. Under Armour Shoes Clearance .com) - In the absence of Dwight Howard, Donatas Motiejunas had a career night to keep the Houston Rockets winning streak alive. Under Armour Shoes Cheap . - The Kansas City Royals are hoping All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will be back in a few days.Pittsburgh Penguins 4 Winnipeg Jets 2 (Jets 34-34-10, 17-16-5 home) – With Thursdays loss the Jets are officially eliminated from the playoff race with four games to go. The Penguins meanwhile will clinch top spot in the Metropolitan Division. The only goal of the first period came just as a Jets penalty expired, with Beau Bennett getting his third of the year, Sidney Crosby picking up the first of his two assists. Coach Paul Maurice also took a puck in the forehead ni the first, needing some attention. Shots in the first were 8-6 Pittsburgh. The Jets tied the game early in the second with Olli Jokinen scoring his 17th, assists to Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. For Wheeler it was his 65th point of the season, a new single-season high for him. The Jets had a great chance to take the lead on a power play, but chances by Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd went for not as both shots missed the net. The Jets did tie it on a great play by Adam Pardy. He worked his way around two Pens, got the puck to Matt Halischuk who found Zach Redmond in the high slot for his first of the year. Late in the period the Jets got caught on a long shift, had a couple of chances to clear the zone but did not, resulting in Craig Adams tying the game with 1:13 left. Shots in the second were 6-6. With Mark Stuart off on a very questionable hooking call, the Pens took the lead on a Paul Martin goal, Crosby with his 102ndd point of the season on the play.dddddddddddd Crosby then went off on an interference call, and the Pens caught a break. Tanner Glass cleared the puck over the glass that would have given the Jets a lengthy two-man advantage, but after a long discussion the officials ruled it was deflected. Replays showed otherwise. Brian Gibbons made it 4-2 at 16:24 and that was the final. The Jets were outshot 7-3 in the third, and 21-15 over the game. Brian Little had his seven-game point streak come to an end, Jacob Trouba had three shots on goal to lead the team, and also led the team in ice time at 23:23. Jokinen won 9 of 12 face-offs. Byfuglien and Anthony Peluso each had six hits. Paul Maurice had another stat in his post-game news conference. “We missed the net 18 times, more than we had on net. Thats the difference.” The Jets also had another 12 blocked. Asked about the Stuart penalty in the third, “Weve made improvements with our sticks. Not sure if that one was a penalty. Sometimes you need to be higher up on the food chain.,” Maurice said. On the game, “I would like us to execute better and liked to see that push on a 2-2 game.” Jets are in Toronto Saturday (TSN 1290), before returning home to play Minnesota Monday and Boston Thursday (Both TSN Jets and TSN 1290), then close out the season in Calgary Friday (TSN Jets, TSN 1290). ' ' '