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HOUSTON -- A couple of missed opportunities by the Seattle Mariners led to a 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros on Monday.Lance McCullers struck out 10 in seven strong innings and George Springer homered for the second straight day to help Houston to the win.McCullers (4-2), who missed his previous turn with a blister on his right index finger, allowed five hits and one run while matching his season high for strikeouts. Luke Gregerson pitched a perfect eighth and Will Harris did the same in the ninth for his eighth save.The Mariners came up empty twice after having a runner on third with no outs.The first time came when Leonys Martin hit a leadoff triple before Seth Smith struck out. McCullers then struck out Robinson Cano, but the ball got away from catcher Jason Castro and Martin broke for home. McCullers covered and took the short toss from Castro to tag out Martin at the plate.But Martin didnt regret his decision.If given the opportunity, I would do it again, he said. Im not afraid.Springer got things going for the Astros with a double in the first before a single by Marwin Gonzalez. Carlos Correa drew a walk to load the bases with one out before the Astros took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Luis Valbuena.Kyle Seager hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second and the Mariners tied it on the single by Lee. McCullers settled in after that, retiring the next 14 straight. He struck out eight in that span, including the side in the third.The Mariners didnt have another baserunner until Cano singled to start the seventh. A walk by Nelson Cruz followed and a single from Seager loaded the bases. Seattle missed another scoring opportunity when Lee grounded into a double play before McCullers retired Adam Lind to end the inning and his day.I thought we had them on the ropes there in the seventh inning, bases loaded and nobody out, Seattle manager Scott Servais said. Unfortunately, we didnt get it done. But McCullers had really good stuff. Probably one of the better breaking balls weve seen all year.Seattle starter Wade Miley (6-5) yielded seven hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings for his third straight loss.Smith went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, ending a streak of four straight games with a homer.There were two outs in the fifth when Springer launched his 19th home run to left-center field to make it 2-1.I tried to get a sinker down and away and cut it back over the plate, Miley said. I just made a mistake pitch and he did what hes supposed to do with it.Dae-Ho Lee had an RBI single for the Mariners, whose four-game winning streak was snapped.TRAINERS ROOMMariners: RHP Felix Hernandez will throw a simulated game Wednesday. Servais said Hernandez will throw 45 pitches. Hernandez has been on the DL with a strained right calf since June 1.FLIP AND PITCHFour-time defending national champion and three-time defending world all-around champion gymnast Simone Biles threw out the ceremonial first pitch. But it was far from an average throw. The 19-year-old, who is from nearby Spring, Texas, flipped toward the mound before launching a high throw to pitcher Scott Feldman. Biles was relieved that it went well and glad she didnt become part of a blooper reel.UP NEXTMariners: Taijuan Walker (4-6, 3.29 ERA) will start for Seattle on Tuesday. Walker is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 23 strikeouts in his last four starts.Astros: Dallas Keuchel (5-9, 5.13 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday. Last years AL Cy Young Award winner, who has struggled this season, has won two straight games for the first time this year and is looking for his first win at home since April 15. Nike Shox Clearance Wholesale . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Nike Shox Clearance Uk . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.cheapnikeshoxuk.com/ . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Cheap Nike Shox Uk .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Nike Shox Uk Online . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. AUBURN, Ala. -- Bryce Brown scored 19 points, freshman Danjel Purifoy added 14 points and Auburn hit 13 3-pointers in an 83-66 victory over North Florida on Friday night in a season opener for both teams.Freshmen Mustafa Heron and Jared Harper each had 10 points for Auburn.I thought our defense in the first half was tremendous, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. In the second half, you know, we didnt play as well defensively. I was disappointed with our rebounding. But to hold a team that averages 84 (points per game) to 66 is good. Were trying to get better. Its a great way to start the season: with a win.The Tigers used their 3-pointers to pull away early, and their athleticism and tenacious defense prevented the Ospreys from clawing back in the second half.The two teams came out jittery as Auburn and North Florida combined for 15 turnovers in the first 11 minutes. Auburn, which was starting three freshmen in guards Heron and Jared Harper and forward Purifoy, committed seven of those.The Tigers lack of size kept North Florida in the game midway through the first half. The Ospreys 6-foot-11 center Romelo Banks, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, gave Auburns Horace Spencer fits. Spencer had to come out for grad transfer LaRon Smith just two minutes into the game, and although Smith wasnt any taller, he provided more-stout defense on Banks.We just didnt have an answer, said North Florida coach Maatt Driscoll.dddddddddddd. Our top guys, our lead guys, our marquee guys, they just didnt have one of their better games. Like, thats gonna happen, so weve got to find a way to play through that.With North Floridas down-low advantage hampered, the Tigers were able to break away as Auburns quick passing and shooting negated the Ospreys hard trapping defense on the perimeter.BIG PICTURE:North Florida: The Ospreys will look to regroup and get their cold shooting back on track next week.Auburn: Pearls young, inexperienced squad kicks off his third year with a win, and the Tigers will look to keep it rolling.STAT OF THE NIGHT:Auburn started three freshmen for the first time since Nov. 20, 2005, when the Tigers started Josh Dollard, Quantez Richardson and Joey Cameron in a 69-54 over Lipscomb.HE SAID ITGive them credit, they shared the sugar, they had a ton of assists. They got no pigs on the team, they look like they really like each other. They can shoot the living dog out of the ball, and they defend well enough and rebound so strong. -- North Florida coach Matt Driscoll.UP NEXTNorth Florida will try to bounce back and notch its first victory against Edward Waters on Monday.Auburn looks to start 2-0 when Georgia State rolls into town next Monday as part of the Cancun Challenge. ' ' '