Jacoby Ellsbury before Shane Victorino lined out to end the threat. N

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Houston Astros have made small but important gains during their first season in the American League. The winning streaks have been few and far between, yet now they appear to be on the upswing. Jason Castros leadoff homer triggered a three-run fourth against Tommy Hanson, and Dallas Keuchel pitched seven effective innings to lead the Astros to a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Houston, coming off consecutive wins at Colorado, has won three in a row for the second time this season. The other time was April 8-10, when the Astros won twice at Seattle and followed up with a 5-0 win against Hanson at Angel Stadium. "Were just trying to ride this out," rookie centre fielder Brandon Barnes said. "Were going out there and playing hard-nosed baseball. Were playing good defence, our pitchings been outstanding and weve been getting big hits when we need them." Keuchel (2-2) allowed two runs and six hits, struck out four and walked none in the opener of a four-game series. The 25-year-old left-hander was making his fifth start after beginning the season in the bullpen. "The last couple of outings I felt pretty good, but there were just one or two pitches that swung in their favour," Keuchel said. "Tonight Id like to take back that second inning, but other than that, I felt really good." Paul Clemens came on in the eighth with the Astros leading 6-2 and gave up Erick Aybars first homer of the year before walking two batters. But then Travis Blackley retired Josh Hamilton on a popup with runners at the corners, and Jose Veras pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in 12 chances. Hanson (2-2) was charged with five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits over 6 1-3 innings in his first start since May 4. The right-hander was on the bereavement list for six days in April following the death of his stepbrother, then made two starts before going on the restricted list to continue dealing with his grief. It was Hansons second loss in two starts this season against the Astros, a team he was 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA against in six starts prior to this season with Atlanta. "It was good to get back out there and pitch again," Hanson said. "I was really amped up at the beginning of the game and I was excited to go out and pitch. My focus was there, but I felt like I could have done a better job tonight. Not exactly the performance I wouldve liked to put out there, but its good to get that one over with." The Angels took a 2-0 lead in the second with Chris Iannettas RBI single and a run-scoring groundout by newcomer Chris Nelson. But the Astros pulled ahead with three in the fourth, getting a leadoff home run by Castro on an 0-2 pitch and sacrifice flies from Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez. The Astros extended their margin to 6-2 with three runs in the seventh, two of which were unearned because of second baseman Howie Kendricks throwing error. Ronny Cedeno started the rally with a one-out triple off the centre-field fence that was poorly tracked by Mike Trout. Barnes drove in Cedeno with a single on Hansons 89th and final pitch. "We were just trying to attack his fastball. That was our plan early, and we finally got to him," Barnes said. "We made good adjustments through the game and just kept going." Jose Altuve greeted Dane De La Rosa with a single, then made a heads-up baserunning play by stopping short on his way to second on Castros grounder to a charging Kendrick -- who threw the ball past first baseman Brendan Harris as Barnes scored. "That was a tremendous job by Altuve," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "Thats something that you work on in spring training, and it comes up a lot of times. The mistake some baserunners make is that they think they can beat the second baseman. Then the guy tags you and throws to first base, and its a double play. But Altuve is a heads-up player with a great baseball I.Q. He did the absolute right thing there." Carlos Pena drove in the Astros sixth run with a two-out RBI single, his third hit of the game. NOTES: The Angels began wearing a commemorative patch on the front of their jerseys in honour of longtime team physician Lewis Yocum, who died last weekend of liver cancer at age 65. ... The Astros placed RHP Edgar Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 26, because of a shoulder strain. RHP Josh Fields was reinstated from the DL after missing 51 games because of a forearm strain. ... Castros homer to left-centre was his first RBI in 18 career at-bats against the Angels to that point. ... Of the 75 home runs Hanson has given up in the majors, Castros was only the fourth that came on an 0-2 count. As a result of Hansons return and that of staff ace Jered Weaver on Wednesday, Angels manager Mike Scioscia has decided to go with a six-man rotation at least through the end of this eight-game homestand. "I think right now is a good time for it," Scioscia said. "I think it helps the whole group if you can do it periodically. Its like throwing an off day in there." ... Harris started at 1B in place of Albert Pujols, who is still running poorly because of chronic foot and knee problems. Pujols got the night off. ... Astros SS Marwin Gonzalez did not play due to a right hamstring strain. Cheap Jordan 11 2019 . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Air Jordan 11 Retro Low Cheap .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. http://www.cheapairjordan11.com/ . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cheap Jordan 11 Free Shipping . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Cheap Jordan 11 Retro . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- As good as Matt Moore has been, the Tampa Bay Rays believe he can be even better. The 23-year-old lefty pitched six strong innings and beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3 Tuesday night to remain undefeated and claim a share of the major league lead in victories. "Its pretty incredible," manager Joe Maddon said after Moore (7-0) yielded a double to Dustin Pedroia and a three-run homer to David Ortiz in the first, then limited the struggling Red Sox to one hit over the next five innings. Moore, whos in his second full season in the majors, walked two and struck out eight. He also tied Washingtons Jordan Zimmerman for the major league lead in victories, became the first Tampa Bay starter to begin a season 7-0 and tied a club record by winning his eighth straight decision dating to September. "The first inning wasnt as heartbreaking as you would think it would be just because of the way weve been swinging the bats," Moore said. "Its one of those things where you have faith in our team and what our offence is going to do," he added, "and as long as I put up zeroes and leave their lead at three, were going to make it interesting down the road." The Rays overcame the early deficit with a five-run fourth off John Lackey (1-4). Jose Molina and Matt Joyce each drove in two runs in the inning, helping Tampa Bay extend its winning streak to a season-high six games. Boston has lost six of seven, including three straight. The Red Sox dropped to 4-9 in May after going a major league-best 18-8 in April. "Weve seen the past couple years when we was in a funk, its pretty much everybody," Ortiz said. "Its like when were playing well, everybody is performing well at the same time. Kind of strange. If you look right now, its pretty much everybody struggling. Hopefully we bounce back and good things happen." Relievers Jake McGee, Josh Lueke and Joel Peralta got the Rays to the ninth, and closer Fernando Rodney struck out the side to finish the combined three-hitter and earn his seventh save. Ortizs homer was his fifth this season and 27th of his career at Tropicana Field, the most by any opposing player. The designated hitters 67 RBIs at the Trop are second to Manny Ramirezs 72. Moore settled after the home run to retire 12 in a row until Stephen Drew doubled off the right field wall with one out in the fifth for Bostons third hit. "Matts been wonderful, and again hes going to keep getting better. Theres mmore within Moore," Maddon said.dddddddddddd"Weve talked a little bit about the command issue, but he doesnt give up a lot of hits. He might walk a couple of guys, but theyre not beating him up with hits. So theres kind of a balance there." Lackey breezed through the first two innings before working through a tight spot in third, when Tampa Bay loaded the bases with two outs but did not score. The Red Sox werent as fortunate during a fourth inning in which the Rays turned five singles and Luke Scotts RBI double into five runs. Molinas two-run single made it 3-3, and Boston first baseman Mike Napoli misjudged a Joyces infield pop fly that dropped for a two-run single and gave Moore a 5-3 lead. "That was an odd inning to say the least," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Check-swing double by Scott the other way and with two outs and the tie score, a pop up that looks at the time seemingly harmless, looked like Mike just over ran it a little bit, didnt get good read on it and the ball ends up staying fair for two runs and the difference in the game." Lackey, making his 299th career start and 300th major league appearance overall, allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings. He walked one and struck out three in losing his third straight decision. Despite not having a hit after the fifth inning, the Red Sox managed to put the potential tying runs on base in the seventh when Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury before Shane Victorino lined out to end the threat. Notes: CF Desmond Jennings was back in Tampa Bays lineup after sitting out three games with a sore groin. ... Boston RHP Andrew Bailey (right biceps strain) threw 25 pitches off a bullpen mound and will face hitters on Thursday. Farrell said a decision on whether the reliever will go on a short minor league rehab assignment or be activated from the 15-day disabled list will be made after Thursdays outing. ... Rays LHP David Price, whos been bothered by allergies since spring training, said part of the problem has been chemicals the team uses to wash laundry. In addition to having to deal with a rash on his neck and arms, his allergies have affected his vision at times. He was given some eye drops after undergoing a test for allergies on Tuesday. ... Victorino (ribs) said he feels physically fine and was in the starting lineup two days after crashing into the right field wall at Fenway Park. ... Boston C David Ross (concussion) will be re-examined in the next couple days. ' ' '