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HOUSTON -- Jerome Williams wants to be a starter for the Los Angeles Angels next season. Williams kept on making his case Sunday, winning a third straight start for the first time since April 2004 as the Angels beat Houston 2-1 to send the Astros to their 98th loss of the season. Houston, a big league-worst 51-98, is on the verge of becoming the first major league team to reach triple figures in losses in three consecutive seasons since Kansas City from 2004-06. The Astros were 56-106 in 2011 and dropped to 55-107 last year, their final year in the National League. Williams (8-10) entered following wins over Tampa Bay and Toronto, and he allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. "This team is a real good team," said Williams, who began the season in the bullpen. "I would love to come back and be part of this team and hopefully make that run for next year." A veteran of 10 seasons, Williams knows he has to produce. "I just have to keep on working," Williams said. "I think I have two more starts, and I just have to keep building on it. I cant control what happens after; all I can control is what Im doing on the mound right now. Thats what Im trying to do, and let everything else fall into place." Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Williams has pitched solidly since moving into the rotation in May. "Hes given us chances to win," Scioscia said. Williams benefited from solid defence and a two-inning relief appearance by Ernesto Frieri, who earned his 34th save in 38 chances. "It was a good defensive game for us," Scioscia said. Josh Hamilton had an RBI triple in the first off Paul Clemens (4-5), a drive off the glove of centre fielder Brandon Barnes as he went up Tals Hill. Mike Trout had reached with his AL-leading 100th walk. "There arent many ballparks that would hold that ball," Scioscia said. "I think that in any other ballpark were playing thats a two-run home run." Andrew Romine hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth after singles by Erick Aybar and Hank Conger. Frieri entered with two on in the eighth and got six outs, including four via strikeout. After Jose Altuves eighth-inning sacrifice, Frieri struck out Trevor Crowe and Brett Wallace. Matt Dominguez singled on a 12-pitch at-bat leading off the ninth, and Frieri retired three in a row. "Its certainly not our preference to have him go six outs, especially when hes got to throw 25-30 pitches, but he felt good today and over the course of the last 10 days he hasnt been out there that much," Scioscia said. "He felt fresh." Frieri said he appreciated the trust. "This time of the season, Im 100 per cent ready to go," Frieri said. "Whenever they call for you down in the bullpen, you have to be ready, mentally and physically." Los Angeles has won five of six overall and 14 of its last 17 road games. Marc Krauss homered in the second for the Astros, his fourth of the season. Clemens, making his third career start, allowed six hits in seven innings. "It was impressive," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "I felt like he did a tremendous job of using all of his pitches." Houston left seven on base and was 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. "First and third one out. We had a run-scoring opportunity and we dont get it done there," Porter said. "You have second and third, one out and unable to get it done there again. We had our opportunities, and we just werent able to capitalize." NOTES: RHP Dane De La Rosa made his 70th appearance, setting an Angels record for rookie appearances. He let two on in the eighth before exiting. ... Trout is the first AL player in history with 70 extra-base hits, 30 stolen bases and 100 walks in a season. ... Astros rookie Max Stassi (concussion) said he remains hopeful to catch before the end of the season. Stassi, who has been sidelined since Aug. 21 after he took a pitch to the face in a 5-4 loss at Texas, caught another bullpen session Sunday. Saku Koivu Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. Noah Juulsen Canadiens Jersey .com) - Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies withstood 18 Dallas 3-pointers, as Memphis took control in the third quarter and fended off a Mavericks rally en route to a 114-105 win in a Southwest Division showdown. http://www.canadienssale.com/authentic-charlie-lindgren-canadiens-jersey/ . Justine finished first with a score of 22.44 while Chloe was second with 21.66 points. Defending champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S., was third at 21.49. A third Dufour-Lapointe sister, Maxime, failed to make the final group and finished 12th while Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City was 10th. Paul Byron Canadiens Jersey .Y. -- Dwane Casey admitted hed been concerned about his young Raptors team who had zero experience playing in close-out games -- what awaited them with the vastly-experienced Brooklyn Nets, and how theyd react. Ken Dryden Jersey . Span, Danny Espinosa and Adam LaRoche had two hits apiece as Washington won the final two games of the series. The Nationals improved to 3-7 against Atlanta. They increased their division lead over the Braves to 1 1/2 games.ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers have made a $14.1 million qualifying contract offer for next season to Nelson Cruz, the All-Star slugger who served a 50-game suspension this year. Texas didnt make qualifying offers Monday to six other eligible free agents, including catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Geovany Soto If Cruz declines the offer and signs with another team, the Rangers would get a compensatory pick at the end of the first round of the 2014 amateur draft.dddddddddddd Cruz was among 14 players disciplined by Major League Baseball after its investigation of the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic, accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. In 108 games before his suspension in August, Cruz hit .269 with 27 homers and 76 RBIs. He returned for the AL wild-card tiebreaker and went 0 for 4. ' ' '