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SEATTLE -- Mike Montgomery is scheduled to make his second -- and possibly final -- start of the season when the Seattle Mariners host the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon.The starter-turned-reliever had a good outing in his first start of the season just before the All-Star break, allowing one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings to defeat the Kansas City Royals. Hes scheduled to be back on the mound Sunday, but a return to the bullpen appears likely as staff ace Felix Hernandez is due back next week.Hernandez, who made a successful rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma on Friday night, is slated to come off the disabled list and start against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon.Im back, Hernandez told reporters before Saturdays 1-0 win over Houston. Im good. If (the Mariners) need me for nine innings, Ill be there for nine innings.Until then, Seattle will continue to rely on a patchwork rotation that includes four left-handers. Montgomery was added to the mix just before the All-Star break, when an injury to righty Taijuan Walker opened up a spot until Hernandez comes off the disabled list.Montgomery (3-3, 2.06 ERA) has been a huge addition to the bullpen this season after a mildly successful half-season as a part of the rotation in 2015. Montgomery got off to an impressive start after getting called up from Triple-A last June but faded in mid-July. He was sent back to Triple-A, converted to a long reliever and has thrived in that role with the Mariners.Like Montgomery, Houstons scheduled starter Collin McHugh was a late bloomer who came into his own last year but has since fallen back to Earth. McHugh (5-6, 4.50 ERA) goes into Sunday seeking his first win since May 30. Hes already beaten the Mariners twice this season, with a 2.25 ERA to show for it.Houston had a five-game winning streak over Seattle, dating back to early May, before the Astros suffered a 1-0 loss at Safeco Field on Saturday afternoon.We had a couple opportunities late, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said, ... We just didnt create enough offense.The red-hot Astros have lost only one series since June 12, so Houston will be looking to add another notch Sunday. Trailing Texas by 4 1/2 games, the Astros could use a win in the series finale at Safeco Field.Seattle, which sits three games behind Houston in third place in the division and four games back in the wild-card race, is also in need of a win. The Mariners wont get another shot at the Astros for nearly two months, and by that time Seattles playoff aspirations could be up in smoke.Seattle (46-45) has lost six of its past nine games. Houston (49-41) has gone 17-6 since June 18 to get back into the pennant race.The Mariners hope to get shortstop Ketel Marte and right fielder Nelson Cruz back from minor injuries Sunday. Both players sat out Saturdays game, but manager Scott Servais said they could be available to play in the series finale. Greg Little Youth Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Greg Olsen Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-jordan-scarlett-blue-jersey/ . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. DJ Moore Panthers Jersey .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Cam Newton Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Michael Cheika denies compromising the Wallabies lineout with the surprise selection of Ben McCalman for Saturday nights Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks.McCalmans inclusion as blindside flanker - not his specialist position - comes at the expense of the ever dependable Scott Fardy and leaves Australias back-row short of genuine jumpers.Fardy secured an equal-best 12 lineout throws for the Wallabies during last years tournament and, at 198cm, gave the back-row important height to complement shorter ball-pilfering dynamos Michael Hooper and David Pocock.At 192cm, McCalman brings a different skill set, chiefly strength and mongrel, and Cheika has no doubts the rugged performer will step up at the set piece too.Bens performed really well in the lineout, the coach said.Weve been working on a few things there and hes shown his quality there and we know that New Zealand are the best lineout defenders in the game.So were going to have to be on our money tactically in what we do there and then each one in his role, Ben included, when the games on in the heat of batttle, really clear on what their job is inside of our lineout.ddddddddddddheika admits McCalman will likely pack down at the back of the scrum sometimes to allow Pocock, picked again at No.8 to accommodate fellow openside specialist Hooper, to serve as a second flanker.Theyre pretty interchangeable now, the three lads. They can all play in the different spots and well probably have a few variations of where everyone stands, Cheika said.All Blacks coach Steve Hansen acknowledged the importance of the set piece as attacking platforms, but said he understood the Wallabies reasoning for selecting McCalman over Fardy.Theyve substituted their height for breakdown tenacity, I guess, and thats not the first time theyve done it, he said.Its a trick theyve played numerous times now since probably a year ago, and its worked for them.So its risk versus reward, isnt it. Obviously in their minds they believe the risk is worth the rewards theyll get for it. ' ' '