squeaked through my legs there, Jones said. Bu

HOUSTON -- After their pitching carried them to a pair of victories this week and set the stage for a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners, the Houston Astros turned to their offense to seal the deal in a 9-8 win Wednesday night.Entering Wednesday, the Astros owned the second-best ERA (3.43) in the American League since May 1. Despite an off night on the mound in the finale against Seattle, Houston (46-39) generally is showcasing impressive pitching depth.We have a lot of guys that are pitch executers and are really good at it, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. Sometimes that comes with some disrespect (from the opposition). I feel like our guys can stand their own, and when we go out and pitch our game, we have every opportunity to win (that) game, which is the role of the starting pitcher.You have to earn that over time, and sometimes the narrative doesnt follow the facts. I love our pitching staff, we have ways to get better, and I look forward to seeing if the script can maintain this type of consistency the rest of the season.Astros right-hander Doug Fister (8-5, 3.66 ERA) will seek to rebound against the Athletics on Thursday from consecutive losses following a career-high-tying, seven-game winning streak. Fister surrendered five runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on July 2, the most runs he allowed since April 14 against the Kansas City Royals.Fister has enjoyed success against the Athletics this season and throughout his career. He is 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA in two starts against Oakland in 2016, allowing one earned run over 12 2/3 innings. For his career, Fister is 7-6 with a 3.17 ERA over 15 starts against the As.Athletics left-hander Rich Hill (8-3, 2.31 ERA) will make his 10th career appearance and sixth start against the Astros, against whom he is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA.Hill will make his second start since his return from the disabled list. Sidelined for the entire month of June due to left groin discomfort, Hill allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings against the Pirates on July 2, a game the Athletics lost 4-2.Everything was good command, Hill said. Breaking ball was good, changeup was good, slider was good. I just expect more out of myself going out there. When we go out there and score two runs we (need) a shutdown inning to keep us ahead and let them work. Thats one thing that didnt sit well with me.The 36-year-old veteran had won five consecutive starts before landing on the DL.The Athletics (36-49) have lost six of seven games and were swept in three games in their last visit to Houston. Perhaps the only recent bright spot for Oakland was the Wednesday performance of ace right-hander Sonny Gray, who allowed one run over six innings in a 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Nick Bosa Jersey Large . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Custom 49ers Jersey China . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. http://www.custom49ersjersey.com/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. 49ers Jerseys China . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Wholesale Custom 49ers Shirts . PETERSBURG, Fla. SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Martin Jones came within 80 seconds of a shutout. Sometimes, thats the sort of stingy performance it takes to beat Canadiens goalie Carey Price.Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski scored in the first period, Jones stopped 31 shots and the San Jose Sharks extended their mastery of Montreal at home by beating the Canadiens 2-1 on Friday night in a matchup of division leaders.You know youre not going to score four or five goals on him, Jones said, referring to Price. You know youre going to have to play well. There are two teams out there. Its not just me and him. I thought we defended really well.Jones won his third straight and the Sharks improved to 8-0-2 against the Canadiens in San Jose since November 1999.Pavelski also had an assist, and Joe Thornton got two assists.Price was efficient after giving up the two early goals, one on a power play and the other on an odd-man rush. He finished with 28 saves for Montreal, and Andrew Lehkonen scored a power-play goal late in the third period.The Canadiens failed to maintain pressure against Jones, who turned away several point-blank shots early and then was rarely tested.He did his job, Pavelski said. He always does his job. He shows up. We have a lot of confidence in him, and he showed you why tonight. Guys did a good job in front of him, and it was a really good effort against a good team.The Atlantic Division leaders have gone consecutive games without earning a point for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the Pacific Division-leading Sharks have won three straight and six of seven.Montreals Alexander Radulov exited with 4:06 remaining after getting cut over the eye by Logan Couture, who was assessed a double minor for high-sticking.I was just gooing to the net and I think their guy was trying to protect the slot area and not let me in and its just part of the game, Radulov said, sporting a few stitches above his right eye.dddddddddddd. Scary, but its OK. He tried to lift my stick but I tried to jump in front of him and his stick went up because my stick was not there. Its just hockey.Montreal took advantage of the late penalty to get on the board when Lehkonen scored with a 6-on-4 advantage.Kind of an unlucky bounce there in front of the net that just kind of squeaked through my legs there, Jones said. But we killed really well tonight. We didnt let them get set up for the most part. Thats a good power play. Theyre going to get some chances.Burns scored his 10th goal, most among NHL defensemen, to put the Sharks ahead on the power play 5:22 into the game.That was probably more of a lucky one, Burns said. Shooting against Price, you know theres not many holes. Its good that one found its way back. I was swinging all night and none of the other ones went in.Thornton picked up a Canadiens turnover in the final minute of the first period and fed Pavelski in front of the net.Game notes Thornton has 1,356 points, 25th on the NHLs career list. ... Burns has eight points in his past seven games. ... The Canadiens are 0-7-2 in California since March 2014. ... The Canadiens have allowed 12 power-play goals in 38 chances to San Jose since 1999. ... Montreals past seven games have been decided by one goal.UP NEXTCanadiens: Continue their road trip at the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.Sharks: Host the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night. ' ' '