start. The Astros got a two-run double from Jason Castro in the t

TORONTO - They combined for just one assist in Torontos 4-1 American Hockey League win over the Texas Stars Monday afternoon. But the combination of Jerred Smithson, Mike Duco and Tyler Biggs up front, along with Andrew MacWilliam and Korbinian Holzer on the blue line, were the unsung heroes according to coach Steve Spott. The Marlies five-man unit was tasked with shutting down a line that includes two of the top three scorers in the AHL in Travis Morin and Colton Sceviour. "Those five guys had the task of shutting down Sceviours line and they did a great job of it," Spott said. "That five-man unit with Smithsons line did a great job against arguably the most dynamic line in this league. So I think those five guys deserve a lot of credit." The Stars top line failed to register on the score sheet and finished the game with a combined minus-6 rating. "When coach comes and says we want you to shut down so and so, we take that with a lot of pride," said MacWilliam. "I thought we did a good job tonight along with Biggsy, Duco and Smitty up front. I love getting challenged before games to shut down certain people." Josh Leivo and Jerry DAmigo each scored a pair of third period goals as the Marlies (29-17-4) came from behind to defeat the Stars (30-16-7) in regulation for the first time this season. Brett Ritchie scored the Stars only goal. With the win, Toronto also avoided losing three straight for the second time this season. The loss was the first in regulation time in the last five games for Texas. Christopher Nilstorp made 28 saves in the loss while Drew MacInytre stopped 30 shots for his 22nd win of the season. Ritchie gave Texas a 1-0 lead at 15:15 in the second when he one-timed a pass from Mike Hedden past MacIntyre. The Stars had an excellent chance to add to their lead at 6:51 of the third on Sceviours shorthanded breakaway but MacIntyre turned the shot aside with his right pad. Twenty-five seconds later, Leivo tied it 1-1, on a power play, taking a pass from Greg McKegg at the side of the net and beating Nilstorp for his 11th of the season. "Oh yeah, its been a while. Its always a good feeling," Leivo said of the power play connecting. "It obviously started a little goal streak for us so were pretty happy about it and happy with the way we played. “We were working it well on the power play, but I dont think we were getting our shots through properly and obviously getting the rebound chances . . . we werent capitalizing on them." Toronto managed only one goal in nine chances on the power play in Sundays loss to Utica. Spott called his teams lack of production the difference maker in the loss and they were one for three tries Monday. Texas had another chance to retake the lead at 8:30 of the third. With MacIntyre down and out, Scott Glennie put a puck on the net but T.J. Brennan was there to clear it before it crossed the goal line. DAmigo gave Toronto a 2-1 lead at 9:59 of the third, chasing down a pass from Spencer Abbott and beating Nilstorps five-hole for his 12th of the season. "Abbotts a great guy with great vision. I just try to get open for him and that was one of those plays where their defence kind of broke down," said DAmigo of the game-winner. "I kind of saw an opening and busted through there. "It was a little questionable if I wouldve gotten to it or not, but luckily I snuck it through his five hole and it was just a great play by both of us." Leivo added his second of the night into an empty net at 18:22 of the third and, with 11 seconds remaining, DAmigo added another empty netter. With the win, the Marlies improve to 5-9-2 when trailing after two periods this season. Toronto continues its 10-game home stand Saturday when the San Antonio Rampage visit. Cheapest Running Shoes Uk .com) - Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called Joe Flacco the NFLs best quarterback last week. 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(AP) -- The head of the committee that developed Major League Baseballs plan to expand instant replay says he is optimistic the system will be in place this season, even though owners and unions for players and umpires have yet to approve.SEATTLE -- With one swing, Kyle Seager hopes he ended his personal skid at the plate and the Seattle Mariners slide. "Any time you see the ball hit the ground, its obviously a big confidence booster," Seager said. "It has felt better the last couple of days and today it showed up. Thankfully." Seager hit a three-run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth, his second of the game, and the Mariners rallied for a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday to stop an eight-game losing streak. With Seattle on the verge of getting swept for the second straight series, Seager hit a two-run homer in the seventh off starter Jarred Cosart. Then he capped the biggest hitting day of his big league career with his drive on the first pitch from closer Josh Fields (0-1) in the ninth. It was the third multihomer game of Seagers career, and the five RBIs were a career high. Seager had not homered since Sept. 3 of last season at Kansas City. "He has a track record and Ive said all along that he is going to hit," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. "Obviously, when youre in a losing streak and the guys you expect to hit dont hit, its a little frustrating but in that case you have one of two options: you can sit him or you can play him. I chose to play him and he didnt disappoint." Seager had been one of Seattles few consistent hitters the past two seasons, establishing himself as a lock in the Mariners lineup. That made his struggles to start this season so surprising. Seager entered Wednesday hitting just .156 with two RBIs. He had more strikeouts (17) than hits (10) at the start of the day. His final three at-bats against the Astros were more like what Seager had shown in the past. He drew a leadoff walk to open the fifth, then homered on a 3-2 pitch from Cosart in the seventh to cut Houstons lead to 3-2. Seattle already had a rally going in the ninth. Robinson p;Cano dropped a single in front of an outfield playing deep to open the inning, and Corey Harts sharp single put two on with no outs.dddddddddddd. Fields rallied to strike out Justin Smoak, but Seager went to the plate aggressively looking for a first-pitch fastball. He got it. And Seattles had a chance to celebrate for the first time in more than a week. "Nobody was really stressing," Seager said. "Weve been all right. We know what we have here. Obviously nobody wants to lose, but we know what we have here and we havent been panicking." Seattles late rally spoiled what was looking to be a sweep for the Astros. Cosart took a shutout into the seventh after failing to make it out of the first inning in his previous start. The Astros got a two-run double from Jason Castro in the third inning and Chris Carters second homer of the series in the seventh to take a 3-0 lead. Still, Houstons batting average for the season dropped to .199 after managing just six hits. Chris Young struggled with his control early and walked five, three of those coming in the third. But he retired 11 of 12 batters before Carters homer and lasted seven innings to help save Seattles taxed bullpen. Young struck out six and threw 113 pitches. Fernando Rodney (1-1) got the victory, pitching the top of the ninth in relief. "The most demoralizing loss in baseball is a late inning loss, when you have the game won," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "Since Ive been here weve had our share of them." NOTES: Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker (shoulder) and LHP James Paxton (back) will begin recovery throwing programs within the next week. McClendon said Paxton has been cleared to start throwing Friday and Walker next Monday. ... Carter has hit seven career homers at Safeco Field. ... Seattle won on a walkoff homer for first time since last June 23 vs. Oakland. ' ' '