MINNEAPOLIS -- After getting his first night off in more than a year, Jose
Altuve looked as fresh as ever Tuesday night.
Adidas Stan
Smith Clearance .The All-Star second baseman, who sat out Monday
for the first time since June 15, 2015, went 4 for 4 and scored twice as the
Houston Astros topped the Minnesota Twins 7-5.The four-hit game for Altuve
matched a career high and raised his batting average to .361 as he puts his name
in the AL MVP discussion.Hes the biggest piece of this puzzle, teammate Carlos
Correa said.Correa drove in four runs, including a first-inning homer with
Altuve on base. That snapped a drought of seven straight games for the Astros
without a home run.Altuve was given the night off during Mondays series opener,
ending the longest active streak in the majors at 202 consecutive games played.
He didnt miss a beat one day later, and his third hit helped spark a three-run
sixth for the Astros.The undersized star has reached base safely in 39 straight
road games, the longest current run in the majors.He looked refreshed, Houston
manager A.J. Hinch said. I dont think he ever has too much of a bad day. He came
out with some fresh legs and the normal swing that he has. Hes just continuing a
remarkable season and doing just about everything you could ask out of a
player.Astros starter Mike Fiers (8-5) gave up three home runs -- he allowed
four total in his previous eight starts -- but benefited from a good night at
the plate from his offense. Fiers entered ranked fifth in the American League in
run support (6.75 runs per game).No matter the situation, you always need this
kind of game, Altuve said. Everybody swung the bat today.Hector Santiago (10-6)
took the loss in his first home game for Minnesota and second start with his new
team. Santiago was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for
right-hander Ricky Nolasco and made his Twins debut in Cleveland.Like a lot of
other pitchers, Santiago had trouble getting Altuve out.You just try to throw it
up there, make a good pitch and hopefully he can hit it at somebody, Santiago
said. It just seems that every time he hits the ball, its somewhere where nobody
is at.The Twins hit consecutive homers off Fiers in the fifth to take a 4-2
lead. Robbie Grossman hit a two-run shot to right, and Brian Dozier followed
with his 23rd of the year. It was the 10th time this season Minnesota went
back-to-back, the third-most in team history.Houston reliever Ken Giles allowed
a run in the ninth but earned his second save in five opportunities this year.
Minnesotas lineup finished 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position.ASSISTING
FROM THE OUTFIELDHouston outfielders came in tied for the most assists in the
majors with 35. The Astros added another, and it came at a crucial time.Center
fielder Jake Marisnick threw out Trevor Plouffe at home plate following a single
up the middle by Jorge Polanco. Houston catcher Evan Gattis fielded the throw
perfectly and tagged Plouffe, preventing what would have been a big run for the
Twins.That play kept it a 5-4 Astros lead, and Houston went on to build on that
advantage in the next inning. Minnesota also threw out a runner at home plate in
the first inning, but the Astros outfield assist was a game-changer.It changes
the complexion of the entire game, Hinch said. Jake continues to find ways to
contribute in center field. Staying under control, he kept the throw low. Great
pick by Gattis, good tag at the plate, and a momentum-shifter that would have
changed the game.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: RHP Luke Gregerson (left oblique strain)
will throw an aggressive bullpen session on Wednesday, Hinch said. Gregerson
could return as early as Friday.UP NEXTAL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel
(7-11, 4.56 ERA) starts Wednesday for Houston in the third game of the series.
Keuchel pitched a three-hit shutout his last time out against Texas. Minnesota
will send Ervin Santana (5-9, 3.62) to the mound.
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Smith Canada Online . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three
seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with
Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League.
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Stan Smith Shoes . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the
past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina
boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel
Di Maria.
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General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch
on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet
before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent.
RIO DE JANEIRO -- Osea Kolinisau and his world champion Fijians face enormous
expectations in the Olympic rugby sevens semifinals.They will face a Japanese
team that itself has already far exceeded expectations by reaching the medal
rounds.Kolinisau scored a crucial try in Fijis 12-7 win over New Zealand on
Wednesday in a quarterfinal match between the two teams widely expected to be
playing for gold.Japan played a remarkable role in the tumultuous pool stage
that had New Zealand on the verge of failing even to reach the playoffs in
rugbys return to the Olympics after 92 years.The upheaval started with Japans
stunning 14-12 win over the New Zealanders on Day 1, a result etched in history
as the biggest upset in rugby sevens. The Japanese followed that up with a
narrow 21-19 loss to Britain and win on Wednesday over Kenya before a 12-7
quarterfinal win over France.No. 2-ranked South Africa had a more conventional
run, and overturning an earlier loss to Australia in a 22-5 quarterfinal win to
set up a semifinal match against Britain, which needed a try in golden-point
extra time from Dan Bibby to edge Argentina 5-0.It leaves the Fijians as
favorites to win their countrys first Olympic medal. Kolinisau knows that only
one color will satisfy Fiji, where rugby sevens is the national sport.The public
back home is a crazy rugby nation, Kolinisau said. Every time the Fiji team
comes out, they always expect a win. Weve been under the pump a lot the last few
years.We need to treat Rio like the (world) series, not let the Olympics get
into our heads.Fiji and Britain are the only unbeaten teams in the tournament.
The Fijians haad wins over Brazil and Argentina on the opening day and held off
the United States 24-19 in the last of the pool-stage games when quarterfinal
positions were still at stake.
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aim and thats to win gold medal, not silver or bronze, Fiji coach Ben Ryan said.
Sometimes its dangerous to set out outcome goals as a coach.But were No. 1 in
the world. Were not trying to be arrogant, were saying this is what we want.
Silver will be a disappointment as bronze and fourth place.Auckland-born Lomano
Lemeki played a pivotal role in Japans run to the semifinals, and said hed
probably be the most unpopular Kiwi in the world after playing a part in New
Zealands early exit. It doesnt worry him at all, though, given the attention the
Japan team is getting for its performance in Rio.Its pretty crazy. Weve been
told weve got to turn our phones off between games, he said. I think rugbys
starting to get bigger than soccer over there.Japan produced the biggest upset
ever at last years Rugby World Cup with a win over South Africa in the group
stage in the marquee tournament for the 15-a-side game. Lemeki said that victory
helped inspire the team, but he didnt realize just how much.I thought wed come
here, win a few games, give it a good go. I thought wed be lucky to make the
quarters, let alone the semis, he said. So I dont know whats happened
here.Lemeki said all the pressure was now on Fiji, and the Japanese team would
play with freedom because every game after the group stage was a bonus. ' ' '