opportunity at the eighth and carding a three-putt par, before

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Houston Astros finished a frustrating season just two games off last years playoff-worthy pace.Jose Altuves batting title was the only thing they won in their season finale, however.Mike Trout stole his 30th base and drove in his 100th run, and the Los Angeles Angels wrapped up just their third losing season in 13 years with an 8-1 victory over the Astros on Sunday.The Astros (84-78) missed the postseason for the 10th time in 11 years despite nearly matching the 86 wins of last seasons playoff team. They went a franchise-record 41-35 against divisional opponents and 41-40 on the road, their best mark away from Houston since 2004.But with the postseason out of reach Sunday at the Big A, the Astros didnt finish strong. At least Altuve went 1 for 4 with a broken-bat single in the ninth inning, ensuring his second AL batting title at .338.Its nice for him to end on a high note, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. The bat breaking is probably not his favorite. He loves his bats. But what a sensational season for him.Houstons Brady Rodgers (0-1) gave up five hits and four runs in his first big league start for his hometown team. The 26-year-old farmhand, who made his MLB debut last month, relished the chance to face Trout.It was pretty cool, a pretty special moment that Ill always remember, Rodgers said. Hopefully we have a lot of battles in our future. Im definitely looking forward to the competition between him and I.Jhoulys Chacin pitched seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball for the Angels (74-88), who won nine of their final 11 games and still finished 12th in the 15-team AL.We finished strong, said Trout, who completed his second 100-RBI season. Theres a lot of positive things we can take away from this year. It seemed like every other week, our lineup or our pitching staff took a big hit, but we played good for the last few weeks.Trout concluded another MVP-caliber campaign stuck on 29 homers, but he got his stolen base in the first inning and an RBI single in the sixth before leaving to a standing ovation. Trout went 1 for 2 and added two walks to his Angels-record total of 116, tops in the majors.This guy is the MVP, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. I dont think theres any question.Los Angeles finished fourth in the AL West, failing to finish in the top three for the first time since 1999.Carlos Perez had a two-run double during the Angels four-run second inning, Kole Calhoun added a two-run double in the sixth and Jefry Marte homered in the seventh.NO EXTRASThe Angels became the second team since 1913 to play an entire season without an extra-inning win. Only the 1969 Montreal Expos have done it in that stretch. Los Angeles played only four extra-inning games, the second-fewest since 1913 behind the 1936 St. Louis Browns (3).JHOS SURGEChacin (4-4), a midseason acquisition, finished an inconsistent year with a dominant effort in his first victory since Aug. 21. He improved to 4-2 with a 3.37 ERA in his career at Angel Stadium.DAVIDSONS FAREWELLBefore the game, the Angels announced home plate umpire Bob Davidson is retiring after 28 seasons. The 64-year-old Davidson saluted the stands during a warm ovation. Davidson, who broke into the majors in 1982, is perhaps best known for his aggressive balk calls.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: RF George Springer played in every game this season, although his finale was brief: He led off the game with a single and promptly left for a pinch-runner. He is the first Houston player to appear in every game since Carlos Lee in 2007. Springer led the majors with 744 plate appearances.Angels: RHP Jered Weaver took a curtain call when he was recognized on the scoreboard. Weaver, who skipped this start with back pain, is a free agent this winter who might not return to the Angels, his only big league team for 11 seasons. Hopefully theres more, Scioscia said. Drew Pomeranz Jersey . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Steven Wright Jersey . Emery skated the length of the ice and fought an unwilling Holtby during the third period of the Flyers 7-0 loss Friday night in Philadelphia. He was given 29 penalty minutes, including a game misconduct. But Emery did not face even a disciplinary hearing with NHL senior vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan because rules 46. https://www.cheapredsox.com/751z-johnny-pesky-jersey-red-sox.html .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Rod Beck Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. David Price Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division.Rory McIlroy was encouraged by a promising display with a new putting technique at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, although was left frustrated by a disappointing finish to his round. The world No 3 made a bright start in his first appearance since switching to the crosshanded method he hasnt used competitively in many years, but missed a number of birdie chances over the closing stretch and double-bogeyed the last on his way to a one-under 71.McIlroy changed his technique after struggling on the greens during the early part of the season and missing the cut at last weeks Honda Classic, with the four-time major champion vowing to stick with the method regardless of this weeks result at Doral. McIlroy made a solid start with four birdies along his front nine Putting with his left hand below his right on the grip, McIlroy mixed five birdies with two bogeys and one double-bogey on the Blue Monster, but admitted he should have carded a much lower opening round.I felt like I played pretty solid actually, McIlroy said. I made a couple of mistakes, but apart from that I felt ball-striking wise it was a good day.My speed wasnt too good on the greens and I was leaving a lot of putts short. I guess it was to be expected as its the first day competitively with a bit of a new grip, but I felt like it was pretty good.Its always disappointing to end the way I did. I just need to get out there tomorrow and try and pick up those shots quickly again and try to start from there. McIlroy opened his round with a close-range birdie Beginning on the back nine, McIlroy left his eagle putt at the 10th inches short to join Spieth and Day in opening a two-putt birdie.Another two-putt from distance at the next was followed by a gain at the par-five 12th, before the world 3 recovered from dropping a stroke after missing the 13th green to hole a seven-foot birdie two holes later.ddddddddddddAfter taking two attempts from 10 feet at 16, McIlroy rolled in from 14 feet at the next but reached the turn two under after a poor chip from the 18th fringe and a missed par-save. The world No 3 missed a number of opportunities over the closing stretch McIlroy kicked off his second nine by pitching to four feet from the rough and posting a fifth birdie of the day, although missed good opportunities to close the gap on early leader Scott Piercy over the next two holes.A two-putt from 40 feet at the short fourth was followed by two more close-range pars over five and six, before McIlroy failed to convert a 12-footer at the seventh after an impressive approach.The Northern Irishman bit his putter in frustration after misjudging a lengthy eagle opportunity at the eighth and carding a three-putt par, before finding the water off the ninth tee and running up a double-bogey. I was giving myself plenty of chances hitting a few fairways and a lot of greens, McIlroy added. Probably took a couple of my opportunities, but not a whole lot.The good stuffs in there, its just a matter of not hitting shots like the one I hit on nine. I just over did it. Maybe leaned on it a little bit too much and maybe being a little bit overly aggressive after making a par on the eighth hole.So its all these little things. Its tiny margins and when youre playing well and youre sharp and youre really on your game, you dont make those mistakes. Right now, Im struggling with that part of the game and I just need to tidy it up.Watch the WGC-Cadillac Championship live throughout the week on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live coverage gets underway on Friday from 6pm. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Latest leaderboard Spieth and McIlroys duel McIlroys new putting grip Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '