s. Argentina gave them a good challenge but again their

SEATTLE -- The Houston Astros continue to have the Seattle Mariners number, so much so that they might consider changing their area code to 206.Houston extended its winning streak over Seattle to five with a 7-3 win on Friday night. Since 2014, the Astros hold a 13-10 record at Safeco Field, which is quickly becoming their favorite road ballpark.George Springer and Jose Altuve have been particularly successful at Safeco, and the duo combined for two hits and three runs Friday.We didnt start the year like we wanted, and thats why people are surprised by how well were playing now, Altuve said. This is the team youre going to see every day. Were going to play hard.The Mariners (45-45) will try to end the skid against Houston during a rare Saturday afternoon game. It marks the first time this season that Seattle will play a home game on a Saturday afternoon.The Mariners plan on starting veteran Hisashi Iwakuma, who is currently the only right-hander in the Seattle rotation.Iwakuma will be flanked by left-handed starters James Paxton, Wade LeBlanc, Wade Miley and Mike Montgomery for one more trip through the rotation, but help could be on the way.Seattle ace Felix Hernandez made a successful rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma on Friday and could be close to returning to the rotation. Wednesdays game against the Chicago White Sox -- another afternoon tilt -- seems like the target date for Hernandezs return after hes spent the good part of eight weeks on the disabled list.Im ready to go, Hernandez told reporters after his outing in Tacoma. ... Ill be back (on Wednesday), for sure.The Astros (49-41) send young right-hander Lance McCullers to the mound.McCullers has already beaten the Mariners once this season. He allowed just one run over seven innings in a 2-1 win over Seattle at Houston a few days before the All-Star Break.The Astros swept Seattle in a three-game series at Houston and have taken full control of second place in the American League West. The Mariners led the division for most of April and May but fell behind the Rangers in early June. Two weeks ago, Houston moved past Seattle and now holds a four-game lead over the Mariners. Texas leads the Astros by 4 1/2.Seattles Iwakuma has an 0-4 record and 7.50 ERA over his past five starts against the Astros. He is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA against Houston this season.Seattle is likely to play the game without shortstop Ketel Marte, who injured his ankle sliding into third base Friday night. Marte is listed as day-to-day, but Mariners manager Scott Servais said he would probably sit out Saturdays game while utility man Shawn OMalley got the start.Marte is hitting .273 this season and has settled in as the leadoff hitter since veteran outfielder Norichika Aoki got sent to the minors late last month. Michael Dickson Jersey . 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. Phil Haynes Womens Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. http://www.seahawksfansofficial.com/cortez-kennedy-jersey/ . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Steve Largent Seahawks Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Patrick Kerney Seahawks Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. RIO DE JANEIRO -- This was the most bonkers, eventful, turbulent day of sevens we have seen in recent memory. The formbook wasnt just ripped up, it was shredded. At the forefront was the gargantuan shock from Japan as they defeated New Zealand, a match which saw superstar Sonny Bill Williams pick up an Olympics-ending injury. Here we round up the five key talking points from a momentous day one at the sevens.The giant killers strike againIn 2015 the Brave Blossoms, Japans 15 team then managed by Eddie Jones, turned Brighton into a sea of red and white after they caused arguably the biggest upset in the history of professional rugby when they beat the Springboks. Just under a year on and theyve done it again as they clipped the Kiwis wings, seeing them off 14-12.Like that memorable afternoon last year, this was a performance packed with heart and an ability to turn possession into points. For a team who finished 15th in the World Rugby Sevens Series, this was a remarkable result, much to the delirium of their support in the crowd. It bodes well ahead of Tokyo 2020.It is unbelievable, Japans Lomano Lemeki said moments after their win.You never see a minnow come here and beat a team which is supposed to be a gold medal contender. I am still shocked, to be honest.But having lost their second match to Great Britain -- they had a kick to draw the match with the final play -- they now need a win over Kenya on day two to stay in the mix for a spot in the quarterfinals.The wounded Kiwi is a dangerous beastAfter the womens tournament went to script with the two best sides New Zealand and Australia competing in the final, the Black Ferns male counterparts wouldve fancied their chances of going one better and claiming gold. But if they are to take the top honour here in Rio, they will have to pluck the most majestic New Zealand White rabbit out of the hat.The Japan result was the shock of day one and with Sonny Bill Williams and Joe Webber sidelined, they have lost two of their key match-winners; they are players who can turn a game on its head. But they bounced back impressively against Kenya, winning 28-5, and in front of the watching Richie McCaw they did their best to emulate his warrior spirit as they kept themselves in the tournament. Injuries can galvanise a team; underestimate the Kiwis at your peril and that win over Kenya will give them heart.Tom Mitchell pulling the strings for Team GBIt was two from two for GGreat Britain and the perfect start for Great Britain on day one of the sevens.dddddddddddd. Tom Mitchell, their captain, was the fulcrum around which the rest of the team pivoted. He played brilliantly as sweeper. With players like Dan Norton and Dan Bibby in their ranks, they have brilliant finishers and while their story may fly under the radar amid the events of Japans game against New Zealand, they are ticking along nicely.At the end of the day, you have to come away with the results, Mitchell said after their 21-19 win over Japan. We always go out to deliver good performances and while Japan performance wasnt as a good as wed have liked, well take the two wins, rest up tonight and go into tomorrow looking to deliver better performances and get the wins.Fiji lead the way but South Africa are going wellWith the their prime minister watching on from the stands - he sat with spare seats either side, flanked by security guards - Fiji were the most consistent side on day one. They survived the scare of playing hosts Brazil in the opener and although their lineout faltered, their cutting edge was sharper than any of the other teams. Argentina gave them a good challenge but again their class shone through.But South Africa also impressed. They eased past Spain and then dispatched the impressive France outfit in their second match. Elsewhere Argentina and Australia are still in the mix after going one from two but it is Ben Ryans Islanders who are leading the charge for gold.U.S. open with defeat but get campaign back on trackThe USA sevens side would have been left kicking themselves after their opening round defeat to Argentina. With the clock ticking towards fulltime, they were winning 14-12 only for Matias Moroni to crash over in the corner and steal the match. And all that after Argentina were reduced to five men with two sin-bins in the second-half. They lacked precision and their x-factor runner Perry Baker never got a chance to stretch his legs.But against Brazil they managed to get the key 26-0 win under the belt with a performance that saw Nate Ebner score a try and also get sin-binned. Coach Mike Friday was left underwhelmed afterwards but the team will be looking to raise their game against tournament favourites Fiji on day two as they look to book a spot in the knockouts. ' ' '