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HOUSTON -- As the Rangers mind their loose ends in advance of the postseason, small victories take on greater significance with the American League West title all but clinched.On Monday night, the Rangers parlayed three strong performances from a trio of vital relief pitchers into a 4-3, 12-inning victory over the fading Astros.Before left-hander Jake Diekman recorded his fourth save with a perfect 12th inning, right-handers Matt Bush and Keone Kela combined to work 3 2/3 scoreless innings to help Texas (86-59) overcome the fifth blown save from closer Sam Dyson.Diekman had allowed eight consecutive batters to reach base during one recent four-game stretch. Kela was charged with a blown save on Saturday against the Angels, allowing a season-high four hits and three runs. Bush is just 1-for-4 in save opportunities. All three stepped forward when the Rangers needed them on Monday, and collectively Bush, Kela and Diekman are key cogs in Texas bullpen.I think its huge for them, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. Obviously theyve had some minor challenges. For them to show up big for us ... thats what weve seen in the past from these guys, thats what were going to need to see from them going forward.Right-hander A.J. Griffin (7-4, 4.92 ERA) will start for Texas on Tuesday night. He has won two previous starts against the Astros this season, posting a 3.86 ERA over 11 2/3 innings. Griffin is 5-0 with a 4.54 ERA in six career starts against Houston, including a pair of victories at Minute Maid Park. His seventh start against the Astros will tie the Angels and Mariners for the most against one team in his career.The Astros (75-69), meanwhile, continue to search for answers against their in-state rivals. Houston fell to 3-14 against Texas this season and has dropped 22 of the last 27 meetings between the clubs dating back to Aug. 3, 2015. The Rangers improved to a remarkable 32-10 in one-run games on Monday night, thus their success in close contests with Houston isnt much of a shock. Of the 17 games played between the clubs this season, 13 have been decided by two runs or less.They have finished the games, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. We have battled them. These are small margins and small increments that have not gone our way. I dont know what to say. They have beat us in close games. They have beat us in blowouts. We have beat them a few times along the way. Its baseball, it happens. We have to find a way to beat them tomorrow.Right-hander Brad Peacock (0-0, 3.38 ERA) will make his fifth career start against the Rangers as the Astros attempt to even the series. Peacock is 1/3 with a 3.76 ERA over five games against Texas. Hell be facing the Rangers for the first time in 2016.Peacock is filling the rotation void left by left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who is sidelined by left shoulder inflammation. Jeff Beukeboom Jersey .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Pavel Buchnevich Rangers Jersey .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. http://www.rangershockeyonlineshop.com/phil-esposito-hockey-jersey/ .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Joe Kocur Rangers Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Brendan Smith Jersey . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. WASHINGTON -- Chase Utley drove in three runs with three hits, including a leadoff homer that quickly spoiled the major league debut of Reynaldo Lopez and sent the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Washington Nationals 8-4 Tuesday night.Los Angeles swept three games from Washington at home in June and has won six straight in the series.Scott Kazmir (8-3) gave up one run and four hits in seven innings, striking out eight. He extended his unbeaten streak to 12 starts, going 6-0 in that span.Lopez (0-1), considered one of Washingtons top prospects, allowed six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out nine, featuring a fastball in the upper 90s mph.The NL East-leading Nationals lost their second in a row following a five-game winning streak.Daniel Murphy doubled twice in his first start since the All-Star break. Murphy, who began the day as the top hitter in the majors, had been slowed by a hamstring injury.The Nationals promoted Lopez from Triple-A Syracuse before the game. Utley hit the rookies third pitch over the right-center wall before the sellout crowd.Howie Kendricks opposite-field single extended his hitting streak to 11 games and Justin Turner doubled before Lopez retired a batter.Joc Pederson, activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, hit a two-run, two-out single for a 3-0 lead in the first.Despite the early struggles, Lopez struck out at least one batterr in every inning, fanned the side in the third and Grandal three times.ddddddddddddGrandal homered and Turner had three hits.Jose Lobaton homered for the Nationals and Trea Turner hit a two-run triple.Yasiel Puigs RBI single in the fifth put the Dodgers up 6-0 and ended the Lopezs outing.Cruising into the fifth, Kazmir landed awkwardly after jumping to field Danny Espinosas groundout. Lobaton then homered.Murphy, Washingtons regular second baseman, committed a throwing error in his first start this season at third base with Anthony Rendon (illness) sidelined for a second straight game.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said ace Clayton Kershaw, out since June 27 because of mild disk herniation, will remain on the disabled list after feeling discomfort following a throwing session on Saturday.Nationals: RHP Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) threw around 35 pitches before Tuesdays game, manager Dusty Baker said. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander is expected to increase his workload over the weekend in the minors.UP NEXTDodgers: Based on the Kershaw situation, Roberts moved RHP Bud Norris (5-7, 4.17) up one day in the rotation.Nationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez (5-8, 4.70) is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA over his last four starts against the Dodgers. ' ' '