the chances, we have to be happy with the result, Courto

ANAHEIM, Calif. - David Freese demonstrated just how much the Los Angeles Angels needed his bat in the lineup the past two weeks. Freese had a season-high four RBIs after getting reinstated from the disabled list, Tyler Skaggs pitched seven solid innings and the Los Angeles Angels scored five unearned runs against Scott Feldman to beat the Houston Astros 9-3 on Tuesday night. In three rehab games with Salt Lake, Freese was 2-for-10 with two home runs, four RBI and four walks. "Its a lot better. Its pretty close to being where it should be," Freese said. "I did what I needed to do down in Salt Lake to prove that I could come back here and be in the lineup." Freese was in the Angels lineup for the first time since May 2, when he sustained a non-displaced fracture in the middle finger of his right hand after getting hit by a pitch from Texas Colby Lewis. The 2011 World Series MVP had as many as four RBIs twice last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, including a grand slam against Milwaukee. "He was put through the paces for the last week, both up here and when he went down there to rehab in Triple-A in his workouts and in the games," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Hes able to do the things were going to need him to do at third base." Mike Trout had three RBIs in his second game of the season as a designated hitter, helping the Angels win for the ninth time in 12 games. It was only the third multi-RBI game this month for Trout. Skaggs (4-1) allowed five hits, struck out six and walked one, helping end Houstons three-game winning streak. The only run against the left-hander came on a sacrifice fly by Matt Dominguez in the fourth. "He attacked the zone with his fastball, and his breaking ball was pretty good," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "Jose Altuve came into the dugout and said he was having trouble picking up the spin. So when Altuves having trouble picking up the spin, you know hes throwing a good one." Feldman (2-2) was charged with eight runs and nine hits in four-plus innings in his third start off the DL, after missing three turns because of biceps tendinitis. The right-hander was undermined by his defence, as first baseman Chris Carter and shortstop Jonathan Villar committed costly fielding errors in the first and fifth innings, respectively. "We had been able to stay away from what I call High-leverage impact errors. And the two errors today led to runs, so that hurt us," manager Bo Porter said. Houstons starting pitchers had allowed just six unearned runs combined in 265 innings entering Tuesday. In Feldmans 13 previous career starts against the Angels, he had yielded only one unearned run — the result of a throwing error by then-Texas batterymate Taylor Teagarden. "Weve been doing a great job of catching the ball, and tonight I feel like I really let the guys down," Feldman said. "I felt pretty good — it was just a matter of not making too many good pitches when I needed to. And when I was missing my spots and hanging curveballs, those guys made me pay because theyre pretty good at what they do. From the get-go I was leaving stuff over the middle, leaving stuff up and missing my spots by four feet. And they kept on the attack." The Angels, who lead the majors with 35 first-inning runs, grabbed a 3-0 advantage after Carter misplayed a short-hop grounder by Albert Pujols. Feldman walked the next two batters, and Freese whacked a 1-1 pitch to left-centre for a two-run single. Hank Conger then singled home Howie Kendrick. Trout drove in the Halos next two runs with a sacrifice fly in the second and an RBI single off Feldmans left foot in the fourth. Houstons Darin Downs walked Erick Aybar with the bases loaded during the Angels three-run fifth, and Trout greeted Jerome Williams with a run-scoring infield hit. Williams struck out Pujols to end the fifth, making him 0 for 8 with the bases loaded. But Freese doubled home a run against Williams in the sixth to make it 9-1. NOTES: Angels LF Josh Hamilton is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday. Hes been out of the lineup since April 6, when he tore a ligament in his left thumb on a headfirst slide into first base at Seattle. ... The Astros havent won more than three in a row since a four-game stretch last Sept. 9-13, which was immediately followed by a season-ending 15-game losing streak. ... The Angels were 10-6 during Freeses absence. Nike Zoom Womens Australia .A. Happ is coming off his first start of the year, a win at Philadelphia Monday. The former Phillie allowed three hits in five scoreless frames of a 3-0 triumph. Cheap Shoes Australia . The Force had two men, including former Wallabies No. 8 Ben McCalman, in the sin-bin in the dying minutes of the match, but were able to resist a late Highlanders surge to post a four-try, bonus point win. http://www.cheapnikezoomaustralia.com/ .com) - After Tom Brady added to an already illustrious legacy, Malcolm Butler established his by leaving the Seattle Seahawks, well, deflated. Nike Zoom Australia . Snedekers best result so far this year is a tie for eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He sits 113th in FedEx Cup standings and has dropped to 31st in world rankings — not the results expected from a player ranked fourth in the world only two years ago. Nike Zoom Wholesale . After a 99-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, his Celtics coaches and teammates have only positive things to say about the Toronto-born rookie.LIVERPOOL, England - Raheem Sterling found a way past formidable Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with an exquisite solo goal to earn Liverpool a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their English League Cup semifinal on Tuesday.It needed something special to beat Courtois at Anfield and Sterling delivered in the 59th minute, picking up the ball 40 metres from goal, turning and speeding away from Chelseas defence before applying a low finish.That cancelled out an 18th-minute penalty won and converted by Eden Hazard in the only shot on goal Chelsea produced in a defensive performance that saw the Premier League leaders outplayed at times, especially in the second half.They are a top side but Im not sure theyve had a game like that this season, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. I thought the performance was a benchmark. There is absolutely no doubt we can go to the second leg and get the performance we need.Chelsea will be relieved to come away on level terms and is the marginal favourite heading into the return match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. After a slow start to the season, though, Liverpool has rediscovered its identity and intensity that almost took the team to the Premier League title last season. The Reds are unbeaten in nine games.Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho grumbled about his sides poor distribution but that was due to the pressure being applied by Liverpool, which is seeking to extend its record of eight titles in the League Cup.The visitors had only two shots in a game played in light snowfall, one of which ended in the net when Hazard picked himsellf up after being fouled by makeshift defender Emre Can to send goalkeeper Simon Mignolet the wrong way from the spot.ddddddddddddAfter that, it was all Liverpool and only Courtois brilliance denied them a lead to take to London. He tipped Liverpool captain Steven Gerrards long-range strike over the bar in the first half and produced a string of fine saves after the break — the best from a fierce strike by Adam Lallana that the Belgium international palmed away, right-handed.Of course, after all the chances, we have to be happy with the result, Courtois said. They were dangerous and it was difficult for us.Gerrard, seeking one last appearance at Wembley Stadium before his summer move to Los Angeles Galaxy, struck the post with a left-footed curling shot as Liverpool came close to a second. Courtois was also lucky to escape without punishment when he carried the ball outside his area after sliding to collect a long pass.The League Cup is one of four trophies Chelsea is chasing this season and probably the lowest of manager Mourinhos priorities. But the Londoners fielded their strongest possible lineup after playing weakened teams earlier in the competition.Of course after the all the chances we have to happy with the result. They were dangerous and it was a difficult for us. We were not at our best but a 1-1 score is good for the second leg.Tottenham plays third-tier Sheffield United in the other semifinal, with the first leg on Wednesday.Thibaut (Courtois) has been doing this all season, save after save. He showed what a world-class goalkeeper he is. ' ' '