America Drives Home a Commanding Performance in Day 1 of the Ryder Cup

(Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

A strong day 1 performance by Phil Mickelson and the team U.S.A. as they lead by a score of 5 1/2 to 2 1/2.

The 1st hole in the morning matches, proved to be a thorn in the side of the Americans as they lost the hole 3 out of the 4 matches.

Hunter Mahan, playing in his first Ryder Cup, and his partner Justin Leonard had a rough start going down 2 holes in the morning, but rallied back in an impressive showing of skill, patience, and a desire to win both their matches.

Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim took it to 2008 PGA Championship winner Padraig Harrington to halve their morning match and win their afternoon match over their Euro rivals.

Foursomes begin tomorrow morning at 8am EST.

By: Collin Dakheel

Astros Sweep The Cubs And Record Their 8th Straight Victory

(AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)

The comeback kids of Houston proved their worth yet again on Wednesday against the Cubs as they shut them out 4-0.

This victory in Chicago brings the Astros' winning streak to eight straight and 6.5 back in the NL Wild Card race.

Houston Starting Pitcher Randy Wolf (9-11) struck out eight batters and got the shutout. This was Wolf's first shutout since April 2004.

Also Houston 3B Ty Wigginton hit a two run homer, his 22nd of the season, to continue his long ball onslaught since Carlos Lee got injured a month ago.

The Astros still have a long way to go and a very short time to get there with only four weeks left in the regular season. Lets see what they're made of.

By: Collin Dakheel

Astros Trounce Cubs Yet Again And Pull Within 7.5 of the Wild Card

(AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)

Third Baseman Geoff Blum won the game for Houston in the 11th inning with a two run homer as the Astros defeated the Cubs 9-7 last night.

Chicago starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano had to leave the game in the 5th inning due to arm problems. Zambrano will be having his arm examined today.

With Blum's two run bomb, the Astros win their seventh straight game, and with Milwaukee losing again on Tuesday pulls Houston to 7.5 games back in the NL Wild Card Race.

With the loss of LF Carlos Lee early in August with a broken finger, the Astros have been stepping up where needed to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

Houston and Chicago finish this three game series tonight at 7:05pm CST in Chicago.