the hardest runner in the competition so Ill just do whatever

DETROIT -- The Houston Astros found a few ways to lose on Saturday night.Jose Altuve dropped a routine popup that allowed a run to score, closer Will Harris couldnt hold a one-run lead in the ninth inning and the Astros wasted a late rally in a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.Harris blown save came after Houston scored twice in the top of the ninth inning against starter Justin Verlander for a 2-1 lead.This is a tough one to take, because we played so hard all night, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. We scratch across two in the top of the ninth against Verlander, and then weve got two out in the bottom of the ninth with no one on base and get walked off.The Astros have lost four of five and are now a half-game behind Detroit as both teams chase Boston for the second AL wild-card spot.This is when you have to start to make your move, said Tigers catcher James McCann, who drove in the tying run moments before Jose Iglesias won it with an RBI infield single. When August and September roll around, you have to be ready to make a run at the playoffs.Harris (1-2) retired the first two batters in the ninth but then walked Justin Upton. Tyler Collins singled and McCann drove Upton home with another single.Iglesias then hit a grounder between first and second base. First baseman Jason Castro ranged to his right to field it, but Iglesias beat Harris to the bag while Collins scored.I should have found the bag and then caught the ball, but I tried to catch the ball and then find the bag, Harris said. Its just a bonehead play by me. Theres no other way to put it.Detroit led 1-0 going into the ninth, but Houston rallied to take the lead in the top of the inning.George Springer led off the ninth with a single -- just the third hit allowed by Verlander -- and took second on Altuves one-out infield single.Carlos Correa then looped a base hit into shallow center, scoring Springer and moving Altuve to third. Colby Rasmus hit a soft grounder into the hole, and while shortstop Iglesias was able to get the force at second, Altuve easily scored from third.That was tough, because I thought we were going to lose, and I was going to be shouldering the blame, Verlander said. I felt like I made some really good pitches, but they put them in play and got hits out of them.Verlander (11-6) got his first complete game of the season. He struck out 11 while allowing two runs and five hits.Houston starter Mike Fiers gave up one run, four hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings.The Tigers threatened in the second, putting runners on first and second with no one out, but Altuve fielded Uptons grounder, stepped on second and threw to third in time to retire Victor Martinez. That saved a run when Collins followed with a single, and Fiers got out of the inning.In the meantime, Verlander allowed two hits in the first inning but didnt allow another baserunner until he walked Altuve to start the seventh.By that point, the Tigers had taken a 1-0 lead on a fluke play in the sixth. With two out and Cameron Maybin on first, Miguel Cabrera lifted a high pop fly behind second base. Altuve appeared ready to make the catch but took a false step at the last second and dropped the ball for an error. Maybin, who was running hard with two outs, slid just past a tag at home after starting at first.I think the ball was so high that I got a little dizzy, Altuve said. I saw it, but it got so high that I was having trouble staying under it. I just stumbled a little, and thats when I lost it.The Tigers almost added a run in the seventh, but Springer made a lunging catch of Iglesias sinking liner to right.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: INF Marwin Gonzalez (hand) and OF Carlos Gomez (hamstring) were both out of the lineup with minor injuries, leaving C Evan Gattis as the only healthy player on Houstons bench.UP NEXTThe teams finish their weekend series Sunday afternoon, with Detroits Mike Pelfrey (3-9, 4.98) facing Dallas Keuchel (6-10, 4.57). Keuchel has won his last three starts against the Tigers, including throwing eight scoreless innings in Houston on April 15. Fake Orioles Jerseys . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Wholesale Orioles Jerseys . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. Orioles Jerseys 2020 . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Orioles Jerseys 2019 . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). When Warriors centre Solomone Kata needed a friend, compatriot Konrad Hurrell was there.The Tongan powerhouse has made an explosive start to life in the NRL, scoring 22 tries over two years and cementing a spot in his sides starting XIII.But Kata, 21, has never forgotten the man who helped him reach the top.Ex-Warrior Hurrell was Katas point of reference upon joining the first-grade dressing room, translating coaching instructions and providing tactical advice.Now the pair, both hard-running centres, will face each other as foes on the field when the Warriors take on Gold Coast on Sunday.When he was there, I was lucky enough to have Konrad by my side, Kata told NZN.In my first year he was the main one helping me with my game and my communication with the coaches, translating everything for me.The 25-year-old Hurrell left the Warriors in May after making only three 2016 NRL appearances and breaching team protocol on a post-match night out in Auckland.Head coach Andrew McFadden said on Thursday he remained comfortable with his decision to let Hurrell go, but Kata knew he was in for a challenge.He would do everything necessary to prevent his friend from crossing the line..ddddddddddddHes probably the hardest runner in the competition so Ill just do whatever I can to stop him and put him off, Kata said.Ill be aggressive and wont give him any time in the game.McFadden said Kata had consistently excelled for the Auckland-based outfit and could develop into an NRL star.Further improvement was on the cards.Hes only in his second year and hes pretty much played every game in that time, so hes doing an incredible job and weve got a lot of faith, McFadden said.Sundays duel between the two Tongans has since been overshadowed by the Titans acquisition of star fullback Jarryd Hayne on a two-year deal.The 28-year-old Hayne Plane is expected to help secure the seventh-placed Titans an NRL finals berth and improve the clubs profile on and off the park.Kata was glad to see such a high-profile player back in the NRL but felt his sides team spirit would see them through the encounter.The eighth-placed Warriors had top eight ambitions of their own.When all the boys get together I feel confident, Kata said.Were like brothers. 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