Rosenhof: Story » would be the first to do that since Seattles

SEATTLE -- Jose Altuve had two hits and an RBI and the Houston Astros damaged the Seattle Mariners post-season hopes with a 5-2 victory Wednesday. Altuve had a RBI double in the fifth and a single in the seventh for his league-leading 200th hit. He is the second Astros player to accomplish the feat, joining Craig Biggio -- who set the franchise record of 210 in 1998. Altuve leads the league in hitting at .337, hits and steals with 52. If he finishes as the leader in all three categories he would be the first to do that since Seattles Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. The Mariners, who lost two of three in the series, remained a half-game behind Detroit for the American Leagues second wild-card spot. The Tigers lost to AL Central rival Kansas City, 3-0. Oakland, which opens a three-game series at Safeco Field on Friday, holds a two-game advantage over the Mariners for the first wild-card spot. Nick Tropeano (1-0), making his major league debut, held the Mariners in check for his five innings. He allowed two runs and four hits, striking out five and walking none, and left with a 4-2 lead. Tony Sipp finished the ninth for his fourth save in five opportunities. Regular closer Chad Qualls has a nagging hip injury and was unavailable. The Astros chased Hisashi Iwakuma (14-7) after just 4 1-3 innings, his third shortest outing of the season. Iwakuma struggled with his control from the start. The best indicator was his one-out walk to Jon Singleton in the second inning. It was just his 15th walk issued in 161 2-3 innings this season. Matt Dominguez then popped out before three straight hits, by Alex Presley, Max Stassi and Jonathan Villar, produced three runs. In Iwakumas 24 previous starts, opponents had scored a combined three runs in the second inning. The Mariners responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs off Mike Zuninos one-out double. Altuve, the leagues leading hitter but hitless in 10 previous at-bats in the series, pushed it to 4-2 with his one-out RBI double to left in the fifth. After Iwakumas second walk -- his 16th of the season -- with one out in the fifth, he was lifted. He gave up four runs and six hits and struck out six. The Astros added a run in the eighth on Presleys two-out RBI single. He and Stassi each had two RBIs. UP NEXT The Mariners have their final off day of the season Thursday before their critical weekend series against Oakland. Lefty James Paxton (5-2, 1.87) opens the series Friday against right-hander Jason Hammel (2-5, 4.70). Houston also is off Thursday before its three-game weekend series at the Los Angeles Angels. Brett Oberholtzer (5-10, 4.38) will be matched up against C.J. Wilson (11-9, 4.64). SELIG AND NO. 42 Commissioner Bud Selig, retiring after this season, came through Seattle and spoke with the media before the game. Among his topics was the genesis for all the players wearing No. 42 on April 15 each season to honour Jackie Robinson breaking the Color Line on that date in 1947. "Commissioners are never supposed to have favourites," Selig began. "Let me tell you a story. I came back from a trip to Arizona and my phone was ringing. It was Ken Griffey Jr. And he apologized for calling me so late and he said, I know how you feel about Jackie Robinson. What would be wrong with all of us wearing No. 42? " Selig said he would think about it but didnt take long. The next morning he called Robinsons widow, Rachel, and told her Griffeys idea and she embraced it. So every year since 2004 every player wears No. 42 on April 15. The number also was retired throughout baseball in 1997. CLOSER TO THE END Even though Mariners closer Fernando Rodney has 44 saves in 47 opportunities and needs just two more to set the franchise record, he tends to be a final-inning roller coaster. Manager Lloyd McClendon says just enjoy the ride. "Im a believer that once you get to your closer in the ninth inning, youve done your job as a manager," McClendon said. "Its his game to win or lose. . If you asked if Id take Fernando Rodney out of the game, it would have to be dire straits." Anders Lee Islanders Jersey .J. - The New Jersey Devils know the odds are against them as they chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Mathew Barzal Jersey .com) - Generally you want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced the legend. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-tom-kuhnhackl-islanders-jersey/ . Ramirez is still hitting behind Puig, only now they are in the third and fourth spots, and the change is starting to generate positive results for manager Don Mattingly. New York Islanders Jerseys .TV Series: Duck Dynasty. Anthony Beauvillier Islanders Jersey . TSNs Farhan Lalji reports the Edmonton Eskimos non-import DT has a workout scheduled with an NFL team next week and isnt expected to sign a deal with any team until then.SAN ANTONIO - Kawhi Leonards return from a 15-game absence has the San Antonio Spurs feeling whole, and they showed it by taking apart the Portland Trail Blazers.Leonard scored 20 points in his return from a 15-game absence in the Spurs 110-96 victory over Portland on Friday night.It took me a while to get my legs under me, get some of the excitement out, Leonard said. I felt good tonight.After missing 17 games total due to a torn ligament in his right hand, Leonards presence gave the Spurs had the extra step and pep they needed to run the fluid ball movement that became a staple of their march to last seasons NBA title.I think that has a lot to do with a group, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. A team feeds off of each other and he has been an obvious important part of how we do things. Everything fits better together.The Spurs had 37 assists while shooting 42 for 94 from the field and 11 for 29 on 3-pointers. They outrebounded the Trail Blazers 49-32 and took 20 more shots in steamrolling a team that shot over 50 per cent for much of the game.Theyre the champs, Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge said. They played better. They have guys that play with confidence and guys that make plays. Their guys did that tonight.Tony Parker scored 19 points and Patty Mills added 18 for San Antonio, which had six players score in double figures and had 34 assists. Tim Duncan had 11 points and 12 rebounds.Aldridge had 24 points and Damian Lillard added 23 for the Trail Blazers.It was the Blazers first game in San Antonio since beating the Spurs 129-119 in triple overtime on Dec. 19. Leonard missed that game, but he made up for lost time quickly.San Antonio looked like the team that won the championship, Portland coach Terry Stotts said. Obviously getting Leonard back and Patty Mills and Parker, none of those guys played last time we played them and all three of them made an impact on the game. Like I said, San Antonio looked like a pretty good team tonight.Leonard pleaded for the ball on the games opening possession, hitting the front rim on a 3-point attempt.It was one of the few times the NBA Finals MVP didnt fire up the crowd and his teammates with his energy.It was big, having annother guy that can give us so many things, a steal here and there a rebound, easy buckets, said Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, who had 13 points and seven assists.dddddddddddd It was huge for us. He did way better than we expected after being out. He made everybody else feel more confident.Leonard shot 8 for 18 from the field and was 3 for 4 on free throws.Leonard initially injured his right hand Dec. 9 against Utah, tearing a ligament while trying to brace his fall on a failed dunk attempt. He returned after sitting out two games, but damaged the ligament again against Portland on Dec. 15 in his second game back when a defender slapped his right hand.He showed no hesitancy Friday night, powering in a layup after Aldridge swiped forcibly at his right arm as the 6-foot-7 forward drove headfirst into the lane.He adds so much to us in a lot of different ways, Popovich said. In subtle ways and obvious ways. It is a fine performance for somebody who has sat out for the last 30 days.TIP-INSBlazers: Portland is 11-2 when Lillard has at least 25 points and five assists in a game. .... The Trail Blazers lead the series 78-77, including victories in three of their past five games in San Antonio.Spurs: Parker received a three-inch scratch on his lower neck while driving to the basket in the first quarter. No foul was called, even as Parker pointed to his neck. ... G Marco Belinelli (mild strain left groin) will be out 10 days to two weeks, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ... San Antonio has used 23 different starting lineups, tied with the New York Knicks for most this season.SECOND TIME AROUNDSan Antonios projected starting lineup of Duncan, Parker, Leonard, Tiago Splitter and Danny Green played together for only the second time this season. They played as a unit for 8 minutes on Nov. 5 against Atlanta before Splitter exited after aggravating a calf injury.HISTORY MAKERSParker and Duncan moved past Robert Parish and Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics for second in career wins by teammates. Parker and Duncan have won 657 games, which trails only the 906 victories by Utahs John Stockton and Karl Malone.UP NEXTBlazers: Visit Memphis on Saturday.Spurs: Host Utah on Sunday. ' ' '