THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Greg Robinsons mother and grandmother were among more than 50 of his friends and family members in the Superdome stands last weekend to watch the Louisiana natives homecoming with the Los Angeles Rams.Unfortunately, Robinson had to watch as well. He was deactivated by coach Jeff Fisher, who decided the Rams prized left tackle needed a break from competition after an uneven season.I tried my best to support the team as much as possible, to show it really didnt bother me, Robinson said Wednesday after practice. But deep down, it was frustrating. My mom and my grandmother didnt get to see me back home playing, and I dont know the next time when Ill be back in the Dome. But it was good to see my family and just to get them outside of the neighborhood, just to come together for once and do something in terms of supporting me.Robinson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft, chosen out of Auburn to be the pillar of the Rams rebuilt offensive line. Instead, Robinson is deep into his third NFL season and still struggling to produce consistent play for an inconsistent offense.This season alone, Robinson has committed 12 penalties -- the most in the NFL by any offensive player. The problems culminated in Fishers unusual decision to keep him out of uniform for a one-game mental reset.Hes been great, Fisher said about Robinson. He understands. Every once in a while, when you take a step back and watch whats going on and see things through a different window, its life-changing. He is really excited right now. Hes been in here early. Hes staying late. Hes focused. Weve got some stuff behind him, and hes excited about playing.Fisher didnt elaborate on his assertion that Robinson faced some outside distractions this year, instead praising the 6-foot-5 blocker for his recommitment to the team.Robinson didnt sound quite as happy about the past week of his life.Things just werent falling in line for us, so its a decision they made, and all I can do is accept it, Robinson said. It wasnt like I could tell them, `No, Im not sitting out. I feel it was smart for him to allow me to take a break. I feel like I used it (to the) best of my ability, to just accept that task and try to move on.Robinson had started 38 consecutive games for the Rams. He has returned to practice this week, and is likely to be back in the starting lineup for the Rams (4-7) on Sunday at New England -- particularly since his replacement at New Orleans, guard Rodger Saffold, hurt his hand against the Saints.Robinson knows he commits too many penalties, but he also provides a physical presence on the line while protecting Jared Goffs blind side. Goff was sacked three times in New Orleans, and the Patriots pass-rush will be a test for Goff and his offensive line.The Rams offense has dropped back to 31st overall in the NFL after its 21-point effort against the Saints. The running game is 29th, but with just 83.1 yards per game.Robinson seems eager to get back to work on a key five-game stretch for his career, regardless of the Rams fortunes.Ive been working on the same things since the season started, Robinson said. I feel like Im progressing in many ways, which a lot of people probably dont see. 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Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.HOUSTON -- Seattle Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker has enjoyed a brief history of dominance over the Houston Astros, but his lingering health concerns might cloud his start against them on Tuesday night.Walker (4-6, 3.29 ERA) has been battling right posterior tibial tendinitis for weeks, a condition that grew so severe in June that he departed starts at Tampa Bay on June 14 and at Boston five days later (despite tossing five scoreless innings) early due to discomfort.He had his turn skipped in the rotation before returning last Thursday against Baltimore, against which he allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.Walker will make his 11th career start against the Astros, roughly one-fifth of his total number of starts. He is 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA against Houston, with 58 strikeouts in 52 innings. He has allowed two runs or less in six of his previous starts against the Astros and three runs or less in three others.How effectively he pitches Tuesday night might have more to do with how Walker feels physically than anything the Astros can muster with a game plan.Well see, Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Walker and his condition. It has crept up in every start, sometimes later in the starts, sometimes earlier. He has been able to manage it. He threw the ball very well the last time out. Were looking for the same thing (Tuesday).The Astros (44-39) will counter with ace left-hander Dallas Keuchel (5-9, 5.13 ERA), whose up-and-down season has included two starts against the Marinners (43-40) with a 0-1 record and 4.dddddddddddd85 ERA.Keuchel is 4-5 with a 3.09 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against Seattle. Given the Mariners left-handed-leaning lineup (including regulars Seth Smith, Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Adam Lind), Keuchel would seem perfectly positioned to enjoy a rebound.Keuchel is 2-0 with a 3.65 ERA over his last two starts, outings that followed a solid performance against Cincinnati when he allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts over seven innings while getting a no-decision.With six starts of at least seven innings on his ledger, Keuchel would serve Houston well to pitch efficiently. The Astros bullpen worked two scoreless innings on Monday in support of right-hander Lance McCullers and entered the Mariners series with the best ERA (2.54) in the American League since May 1.Right-handers Luke Gregerson and Will Harris combined for two strikeouts while retiring the six batters they faced. If Keuchel hands the bullpen a lead late on Tuesday, the Astros will like their chances to win.This is what they do, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. I had (right-hander Ken) Giles up in the seventh, Lance didnt need it as he got out of it. And then Gregersons settled into the eighth-inning role. I feel confident that Luke could close any game and he probably will soon if Will needs a day off. Will continues to come in (and pitch well). ' ' '