Whats behind Erik Hurtados sudden and dramatic turnaround? Why is he all of a sudden scoring highlight reel goals and game winners? According to Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson there is no difference. Andy Pettitte Astros Jersey . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. Last year, you could almost see the Santa Clara grad thinking while he played. "Should I go here?" "Whos my man?" "Do I shoot or do I cross?" The amount of times a promising attack would fizzle out at his feet was frustrating for not just the fans, but his former manager as well. When your coach loses faith, its tough to believe in yourself. So the mantra this year for Hurtado and many of the other young studs in the Whitecaps stable is stop thinking. Just go play. For the most part, its working. Hurtado has been employed as both a lone striker, and a right sided weapon. Hes looked equally dangerous in both roles. One can only imagine what might happen when his freedom of thought becomes routine and instinctual. Compare the Real Salt Lake game a month ago, when in the late stages, last years fifth overall pick burst down the right flank and instead of unleashing one of his palm stinging drives, he squared it up for a team-mate, with coach Robinson pleading for a shot. From virtually the same spot in last Saturdays game against Seattle Sounders Hurtado blasted home off the cross bar, and the Whitecaps were back on level terms only minutes after cruelly falling behind. There was no thought. There was no passing of responsibility. It was the same explosive drive the 23-year-old has unleashed hundreds of times in training, and throughout his formative years. The ball doesnt seem to run away from "E-Money" anymore either. His touch is tidier, the runs are becoming less predictable, and the end product is inherently powerful. Youd be hard pressed to find a similarly statured player with the kinds of tools Hurtado possesses. Hes been told more than once that a running back in the other type of football might have suited his skill set more. Thankfully his dad wasnt having it. Now the one time Beaverton Oregon boy gets to return to the state of his youth, as a bona fide starter, and a legitimate threat. Surely the family and friends in attendance will motivate him further, rather than distract. Carl Robinson could also have the luxury of Darren Mattocks at his disposal for the June 1st tilt at Providence Park. Mattocks will be racking up the air miles on Jamaican duty, but will still be available to face his old Akron Zips coach Caleb Porter, and best pal Darlington Nagbe. Might we see Hurtado, Mattocks and Manneh all on the park at once as some supporters had fantasized already last pre-season? Hopefully the manager can keep them all from thinking about it too much. Carlos Correa Astros Jersey . Despite his lack of experience, Smith calmly won it. The 25-year-old forward scored in the 11th round of a wild shootout Friday night and Chicago finally beat Dallas 2-1 for its fifth straight victory. George Springer Jersey . "Im not sure Ill be back next season," said Mike Gillis. Speaking to the Team 1040 in Vancouver on Thursday, the Canucks general manager spoke of his clubs failure to live up to the success of past years, but refused to heap all the blame on his coach. HOUSTON -- Matt Dominguez hit an RBI single off the right-field wall in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 Wednesday night to win a series against their in-state rivals for the first time since 2008. The Astros took two of three after losing 15 straight series to the Rangers. Houston overcame a four-run deficit to win. Dexter Fowler singled with one out in the ninth, Jason Castro drew a walk and Dominguez hit a long fly ball off Nick Martinez (0-1). Chad Qualls (1-1) got the last two outs in the ninth for the win. Alex Rios hit a solo homer, Adrian Beltre had three hits and Prince Fielder drove in two runs for Texas. The Astros trailed 4-0 before scoring two runs in the sixth. Rookie George Springer tied it with a two-run homer in the seventh. Jose Altuve singled to start the seventh before Springer launched his third career home run -- and first at home -- into the back of the seats in the Crawford Boxes in left field to make it 4-all. A pair of walks and a single by Dominguez loaded the bases for Houston with one out in the sixth inning. Pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman cut the lead to 4-1 with an RBI single to shallow centre and Chris Carter drove another run home with his single that dropped just inside the left-field line. Rios gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the second. Fielder hit the third of three straight ssingles to send a run home and make it 2-0 in the third. Dallas Keuchel Jersey. Elvis Andrus doubled to start the fifth inning and scored on a broken-bat single by Beltre to push the lead to 3-0. Fielder followed with an RBI double. Scott Feldman allowed a season-high 10 hits with four runs in five innings. Texas starter Nick Tepesch one run and two hits in 5 1-3 innings, striking out eight in his season debut in the majors. He was called up from Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day. Tepesch is the ninth different pitcher to start for the injury-plagued Rangers this season, which is tied with the Chicago White Sox for most in the majors. NOTES: Andrus extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Both teams are off on Thursday before Houston opens a series with the White Sox and Texas plays Toronto. ... The Rangers put LHPs Matt Harrison (back inflammation) and Martin Perez (left elbow inflammation) on the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Miles Mikolas and Tepesch from Triple-A to take their spots on the roster. ... Texas INF Donnie Murphy (neck strain) and LHP Joe Saunders (stress fracture in left ankle) will start rehabilitation assignments with Round Rock on Thursday. ... Houston put RHP Anthony Bass (right intercostal strain) on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 11, and recalled RHP Josh Fields from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Cheap Jerseys nfl jerseys cheap authentic wholesale jerseys jerseys from china authentic Cheap Jerseys wholesale stitched jerseys ' ' '
