Metaphysik » in six days. Clifford is in his first season with the Bobc

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltre homered for the first time at home in more than a month, then got back to the Texas dugout to find his teammates seemingly nodding off. "I cant blame them. Its been a long time," Beltre said. His solo shot in the sixth put the Rangers ahead to stay in a 3-2 victory over Houston on Tuesday night that kept them close in the wild-card race. "But hopefully thatll be the beginning of a couple this week," Beltre said. "Not because I hit a homer, but because it was a good spot to hit it." With five games left in the regular season, Texas remained a game behind Cleveland for the ALs second wild-card spot. Tampa Bay is a game ahead of the Indians in a crowded pack. The Astros lost their 11th straight game, their 107th overall to match the franchise record set last year. Once Beltre started jostling a few of his teammates, they jumped up and started celebrating with him. "The guys fell out and went to sleep because they hadnt seen him do something like that in a long time. He put them to sleep," manager Ron Washington said. "I was the only one who greeted him. That home run was huge right there. We certainly needed and it couldnt have got it as a bigger time." Beltres 29th homer snapped a 2-all tie with one out in the sixth. That came after Yu Darvish gave up the lead in the top half of the inning. The AL leader with 193 hits, Beltre hadnt homered since Aug. 28 at Seattle. His last at home had been Aug. 20, also against the Astros. Neal Cotts (6-3) struck out two in a scoreless inning after taking over for Darvish. Joe Nathan, the fourth reliever, worked a perfect ninth for his 41st save in 44 chances. Matt Dominguez homered for the Astros, and rookie Brad Peacock (5-6) struck out seven in six innings while allowing three runs and six hits. "I felt like he threw the ball outstanding," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "Even the home Beltre hit was a fastball down. Youve got to tip your cap to him." The Rangers are 16-2 this season against Houston, winning the last 10. Its the most wins Texas has ever had in a season against one team. Darvish threw 101 pitches but failed to get past the sixth inning for the third time his five starts in September, even while going over 200 innings for the season. The right-hander also immediately gave up a Rangers lead for the fifth time this year. Texas went ahead 2-1 in the fifth when Craig Gentry had a leadoff single before a sacrifice bunt by Leonys Martin and a run-scoring hit by Ian Kinsler. Gentry scored while third baseman Matt Dominguez cut off left fielder Marc Krauss throw and threw out Kinsler trying to get to second. Dominguez then led off the top of the sixth with a homer that ricocheted off the left-field foul pole. It was his 21st of the season, and third off Darvish. Two batters later, Darvish was gone after walking Trevor Crowe, a .231 hitter, for the second consecutive time. "I was just trying to survive each inning and try to do the best I can in that situation and thats it," Darvish said through his translator. "The most important thing right now is to win a game. I was able to keep us in the game, and thats all I can say." Darvish struck out nine and walked four while allowing four hits in 5 1-3 innings. Twice this season, Darvish took no-hit bids against Houston into the eighth inning. The Astros loaded the bases in the first on Jose Altuves single and two walks, and Chris Carters sacrifice made it 1-0. "When you get a guy like that on the ropes you want to get three or four runs," Porter said. Beltre drew a leadoff walk in the fourth and scored on Geovany Sotos single to tie it at 1. The big blow came two innings later, a shot into the left-field seats. "Apparently I found out a way today. Its been a long time," Beltre said. "It felt good. It felt really good, I havent had that feeling in a long time." NOTES: Texas won 15 games against Seattle in 2011. ... The last MLB team with at least 16 wins against the same opponent was Boston, which went 16-2 against Baltimore in 2009. ... Suspended Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz, who would be eligible for the playoffs, was 5 for 15 with a homer in this first four instructional league games in Arizona. ... Rangers RF Alex Rios, who hit for the cycle Monday, stole his 40th base. Air Max 97 China Wholesale . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Air Max 97 Undefeated For Sale .NYCFC confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that this week Lampard signed a contract to start in July — midway through the new teams first season in MLS. http://www.outletairmax97.com/nike-air-max-97-off-white-wolf-grey-menta-aj4585-101.html . The 23-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., defeated Germanys Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday in the fourth round of the Sony Open in just 89 minutes. Cheap Air Max 97 Mens . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Air Max 97 Off White For Sale . Switzerland faces Belgium or Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals in April. Serbia dropped into the World Group playoffs in September. A confident Chiudinelli and Lammer defeated veteran doubles player Zimonjic and young Krajinovic 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said he is ready to return to coaching just three days after a procedure to have two stents placed in his heart. Clifford said he will coach Monday night when the Bobcats host the Atlanta Hawks. "I feel fine," Clifford said following Mondays shoot around. "I havent had any pain, even minor pain, since the incident." Clifford, 52, said he was taken by ambulance to the hospital Thursday night after experiencing chest pains while dining at a Charlotte restaurant. The following day doctors inserted the stents to prevent blockage to the heart. "I had significant pain in my chest and I was having trouble breathing," Clifford said. "So it was scary enough where I had them call 911. And I was lucky that I did. ... Once I got the hospital I felt good." Clifford said he feels lucky that he acted as quickly as he did, knowing the incident could have been worse had he ignored the warning signs. "At least I got a warning signal," Clifford said. "Things worked out well. The doctors have me on a good plan and Im going to follow it." He said he will need to change his diet. "I will have to, but its only been two days and obviously it hasnt shown up yet," he said with a laugh as he rubbed his stomach. Clifford only missed one game — a 101-91 loss Friday niight to the New York Knicks.dddddddddddd Associate head coach Patrick Ewing filled in for Clifford. Doctors advised Clifford to take it easy, which wont be easy considering the Bobcats have four games in six days. Clifford is in his first season with the Bobcats. He was hired to replace Mike Dunlap, who was fired after the Bobcats finished 21-61 last season. Clifford isnt the only one returning Monday night. He said centre Al Jefferson, who missed five games with an ankle injury, will start against Atlanta. Jefferson could give the Bobcats (3-3) an added boost in Cliffords return. Jefferson, who signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Bobcats this off-season, first injured his ankle in the teams second preseason game against the Miami Heat. He sat out to remainder of the preseason and returned to play in the regular season opener at Houston. However, he re-aggravated the ankle and hasnt played since. "I dont know how many minutes hell play, but he feels good and didnt have any soreness from practice," Clifford said. "Well start him and try to integrate him into our play as best that we can." When Jefferson was told he was starting he replied, "Thats music to my ears." Jefferson said the most important thing is making sure he doesnt have a setback and is able to continue playing after Monday nights game ' ' '