ERST LESEN! » all the first thing in his mind is can he take

ARLINGTON, Texas - Rookie Max Stassi took a baseball to the face and his Houston Astros teammates probably felt the same way Wednesday night against the Texas Rangers. After rallying to tie the game 4-4 in the top of the eighth inning, Elvis Andrus ended it in the bottom of the ninth to send Houston to its third straight loss, 5-4 against the AL West-leading Rangers. Houston fell to 2-14 against the Rangers this season with three more to play against its in-state rival in late September. "Ive said this the entire time — the resilience of that group in there, I am extremely proud of them," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "They fight all the way to the end. We come up short sometimes but I would never question the resilience they have, like they showed today." During a wild eighth inning, Rangers reliever Tanner Scheppers gave up three hits, one walk, hit two batters and threw two wild pitches to surrender a Texas lead. Scheppers allowed a hit to open the eighth and quickly erased it by getting L.J. Hoes to ground into a double play. Then the bottom fell out for the Texas right-hander. Jose Altuve singled, advanced to third on the two wild pitches and scored on Chris Carters bloop single to pull the Astros to 4-3. Scheppers then hit Matt Dominguez on the left shoulder to load the bases before throwing a pitch that glanced off Stassis shoulder and into his face, knocking his helmet to the ground. Jason Castro scored to tie the game 4-4 and give Stassi — who was clearly bleeding as he was led off the field — the first RBI of his career. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. "We will get a full report once they run all the tests," Astros Manager Bo Porter said of Stassi after the game. "We dont have an update right now but it was definitely a scary situation. "That is a very painful way to get your first RBI." It took Chia-Jen Lo (0-1) only four pitches to get three Texas outs in the bottom of the eighth, but the right-hander took the loss for Houston after giving up Andrus hit that scored pinch runner Adam Rosales. As Andrus came up to bat with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, the Astros moved left fielder Chris Carter to first base to add a fifth infielder. "Weve fought every game. Its a tribute to these guys in this clubhouse," left fielder Robbie Grossman said. "Were never out of a game, no matter what the score is, were just going to play our type of baseball and play it hard. Its tough to lose like that." Texas closer Joe Nathan (4-2) shut down the Astros in the ninth to get the win. Craig Gentry homered and scored three times for Texas, one on a perfect squeeze bunt by Andrus in the seventh that gave Texas a 4-2 lead. Castro homered and scored three runs for the Astros. Texas starter Derek Holland pitched six-plus innings, leaving in the seventh after giving up a single to Castro and consecutive walks to load the bases with no outs. Joakim Soria came on in relief and got Stassi to ground into a double play, scoring Castro to trim the Astros deficit to 3-2. Holland gave up four hits and two earned runs while striking out five and walking three. Astros starter Erik Bedard pitched 4 1-3 innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits with four walks. NOTES: Rangers rookie RHP Nick Tepesch, on the DL since July 6 with right elbow inflammation, said he felt good after a bullpen session. He expects to throw live BP on the teams road trip that starts Friday. ... LHP Travis Blackley will apparently stay in the Texas rotation. "As of right now, hes going to get his next start," manager Ron Washington said. Blackley threw 66 pitches over four innings Tuesday night in place of injured Alexi Ogando. The next turn for that spot is Monday night at Seattle. ... In the second, Bedard took an Adrian Beltre come-backer off the inside of his right ankle, but he stayed in the game after being evaluated by team trainers. In the seventh, Holland took a Jason Castro line drive off his left forearm, but he also remained on the hill after being examined. ... Alex Rios stole second in the sixth inning, giving him 30 stolen bases — his third season reaching that plateau. Keith Van Horne Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Josh Woods Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-stan-jones-jersey-large-1946t.html . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. George Blanda Jersey . 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). Charlie Sumner Jersey .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit.John Collins has urged on-loan Celtic star Patrick Roberts to aim for the standards set by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. In only his second start for Ronny Deilas side since arriving on an 18-month loan deal from Manchester City in January, the 19-year-old grabbed a double in the 3-1 home win over Hearts on Saturday.It was the first senior goals scored by the former Fulham player, who moved to the Etihad last summer for a reported £11m fee. His first goal at 1-1, a little dink over Neil Alexander, was described by former Hoops manager and Sky Sports pundit Neil Lennon as absolute top class, Messi-esque, while his shot from the edge of the area shortly after the break gave the Hearts keeper no chance.Ahead of the trip to Dundee on Tuesday night, where the Parkhead men can go back seven points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the table, assistant manager Collins refused to make direct comparisons with the Argentina forward. Patrick Roberts chips Neil Alexander to put Celtic 2-1 up against Hearts He said: I dont like comparing him to the best player in the world, which in my opinion is Messi. But you can see where people get the resemblances.He is left-footed. He likes to take people on and if he ends up half as good as Messi then he has done well. That has got to be his target, to try to emulate what Lionel Messi does week-in, week-out, which is score goals, create chances.He is one of those pllayers who gets you on the edge of your seat.dddddddddddd. When he gets the ball the first thing in his mind is can he take on a defender. He is a type of player I like watching. Lionel Messi is setting the standards for Roberts to emulate At the end of the day you have to have an end product and at the weekend he had what we are looking for from wide players, beating players and getting shots on target and finishing off with goals. The most important thing is continual progress. He has to produce week in week out, thats what top players do.Meanwhile, Collins confirmed Derk Boeriggter had been paid up by the club on a contract set to expire in the summer. Derk Boerrigter leaves Celtic after three injury-hit years The 29-year-old winger was signed from Ajax in July 2013, for a reported fee of £3m but had not made a first team appearance since August, 2014.We wish him all the best for the future. Sometimes it doesnt work out and unfortunately for Derk and for us it never worked out for him, he added. Also See: Celtic video Celtic fixtures Celtic stats Bet ￡5 get ￡20 free ' ' '