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OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Houston Astros are no strangers to nerve-wracking wild-card playoff races.Last year, they didnt clinch the American Leagues second wild-card berth until the final day of the regular season, finishing one game ahead of the Los Angeles Angels.This year, the Astros are in what shapes up to be an even tougher wild-card race.The Astros are three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, who are tied atop the wild-card standings. Detroit trails by 2 1/2 games, and Seattle is tied with Houston.Houston needed a come-from-behind, 4-2 victory against the Oakland As on Monday night to prevent losing ground. The Astros will face the As again Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum.I think our guys are comfortable playing in important game, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. We played an entire month in September last year and into October where it was very similar to this year, where every game was magnified, every detail within the game is magnified.Most of these guys are very comfortable in their own skin to play in these type of games. I think it has to help. It certainly doesnt hurt. Weve been there before. Weve seen the schedule have to play out all the way to the last game before we clinched last year, and well have to play even better down the stretch this season to factor in.The Astros are facing a young As team that has been eliminated from playoff contention but showed how dangerous it can be by going 6-1 on its recent road trip against Kansas City and Texas. The As batted .318 and scored 65 runs, sweeping four games from the Royals and going 2-1 against the Rangers.Rookies such as third baseman Ryon Healy, second baseman Joey Wendle and catcher Bruce Maxwell have helped energize the As. Healy and Maxwell each hit a solo home run Monday.Anytime youre winning the vibes going to be upbeat, Wendle said. Thats the goal every game, to come out and win and compete. Its been really fun for me to be part of this, kind of joining some of my teammates from (Triple-A) Nashville and then the guys that have been here for a while. Some of the veterans have just been great. Theyre really leading the younger guys and kind of showing us the ropes. Its been fun.Hinch said the As are playing loose, which makes them dangerous.This time of the year when you play a team thats out of contention, thats got some new blood in their lineup, it can be a little bit of a challenge, because they dont have a ton of anxiety around them, Hinch said.Theyve got some guys that are trying to make a case to make their team next season or become interesting over the offseason, and there are a lot of new names. It doesnt surprise me that (As manager) Bob (Melvin) keeps it loose and keeps them playing hard. Theyre hungry to do some things. If youre not going to be in it, you want to beat the teams that are.As left-hander Sean Manaea will face Astros right-hander Joe Musgrove in a battle of rookies.Musgrove (3-4, 4.71) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a 6-0 victory against Manaea (6-9, 4.23) and the As on Aug. 29. Manaea left the game after 3 1/3 innings because of a strained upper back, but returned to action Wednesday and pitched five scoreless innings in an 8-0 victory at Kansas City.Musgrove will make his 10th career major league appearance and ninth career start since being recalled from Triple-A Fresno. In his last start on Wednesday, he allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings in an 8-4 victory against Texas. He struck out seven and walked two.Ive had moments up here of joy and happiness and Ive had some real tough ones as well, Musgrove said. Adapting and learning and making the little adjustments that are necessary.New York Mets Gear . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. New York Mets Pro Shop . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Mets Jerseys China .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation.LOS ANGELES -- Angel McCoughtry had 32 points and 11 rebounds and the Atlanta Dream beat the Los Angeles Sparks 86-81 to snap a four-game road losing streak Thursday night.The Dream (16-14) held off a late rally and never trailed in the contest. The victory moved them a half-game up on Chicago in the race for the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.McCoughtry had her third double-double of the season and Elizabeth Williams added 15 points and 12 rebounds.The Dream had their largest lead at 67-49, but Los Angeles came within 80-78 on Kristi Toliverss 3-pointer with 59 seconds left.dddddddddddd. McCoughtry and Layshia Clarendon each hit a pair of free throws and McCoughtry had a steal and layup to secure the win.The Sparks (24-7) have gone 4-6 since their historic 20-1 start to the season but have already clinched a top-two seed and will automatically advance to the semifinals.Essence Carson, Chelsea Gray and Candace Parker finished with 16 points each. Nneka Ogwumike scored 15. ' ' '