draft. Fister is 4-2 with a 4.64 ERA against Seattle, including 2-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts this season.The Astros got a boost on Tuesday night from the return of rookie third baseman Alex Bre

CHICAGO -- For much of the young season, the Chicago Bulls havent had trouble keeping defensive pressure on opposing teams.The constant pressure, coupled with a blend of balanced scoring and an up-tempo style of play, led to a flawless start and three straight wins. But when the Bulls surrendered 36 first-quarter points in a 107-100 loss to the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, it resulted in an uphill climb the Bulls couldnt manage to finish.We could just never quite get over the hump, coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after the Bulls dropped their first loss of the season.The Bulls hope to solve their defensive lapses Friday when they host the New York Knicks at the United Center. The Knicks have experienced defensive issues of their own of late, which have mounted in New York dropping three of its first four games.The Knicks sustained their second straight double-digit loss Wednesday in a 118-99 drubbing at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Already struggling to establish offensive rhythm under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks defensive struggles have been even more alarming.In each of its first four games, New York has allowed no fewer than 102 points, which has been a problem and could pose one against the Bulls, who have twice scored 118 points and have found plenty of production not only from its starting lineup headlined by Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, but from its bench.New Knicks guard Derrick Rose -- who will make his return to Chicago along with former Bulls teammate Joakim Noah Friday -- told reporters after the loss to Houston that things had to change if the Knicks hope to reverse their course.Its nothing but defense, Rose said Wednesday night. If we dont come out and play defense, were going to keep getting smacked like this.The frustrations are apparent with Rose, who was part of some Chicago teams during his tenure with the Bulls that thrived on keeping plenty of pressure on opposing teams. So now that hes on the opposite end of the spectrum with the Knicks, Rose understands what is at the core of New Yorks problems.Ive been on teams where were building a culture here -- were trying to bring a defensive culture here, Rose told reporters. Trying to make something last and establish something. It takes time.While Chicago has its share of new faces and is still experimenting to get the on-floor chemistry right, Hoiberg is hoping that Wednesday nights defensive struggles against the Celtics can be fixed.Among the Bulls biggest issues was defending the perimeter as the Celtics were able to find their range behind the 3-point arc and connected on 14 of their 32 attempts.Hoiberg liked the way his team battled back from a pair of double-digit deficits to tie the game at 100 in the closing minutes, he lamented the fact that the Bulls simply didnt do enough defensively to keep themselves in the game.We werent contesting shots, Hoiberg told reporters. We had a guy there, he was two or three steps behind as opposed to getting (shooters) into a long two or force them into the help (defense) where theyd have to make another pass.I just thought we gave them too many dare shots. Ray Ban Sunglasses Deals . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Ray Ban Sunglasses Sale Online . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. http://www.discountrayban.com/ . PAUL, Minn. Wholesale Ray Ban Sunglasses . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Clearance Ray Ban Sunglasses .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. HOUSTON -- In the aftermath of their extra-inning victory over the Astros on Monday night, several Seattle Mariners crowded around a clubhouse television and enjoyed watching the highlights of the Yankees-Blue Jays skirmish earlier that evening, a lighthearted moment that partially revealed their relaxed nature down the stretch.Following a slump that included 10 losses in 12 games closing August and bleeding into September, Mariners manager Scott Servais took measures to keep the club loose with tactics that were part original ideas, part inspiration from the motivational ploys of others.Despite a loss to the Astros (83-75) on Tuesday night, the Mariners (83-74) remain in the hunt for a postseason berth.The season is so long that if you sit there and grind every day after every day you just run out of gas, Servais said. And I think weve created enough distractions and kept it fun and light that even when we werent playing well guys still enjoyed coming to the ballpark.We have a close-knit group that like hanging out with each other. I think thats carried us and kept it interesting and kept us afloat when a lot of people wanted to write us off. And rightfully so. It looked like we were dead in the water, but we hung in there.Left-hander James Paxton (5-7, 3.72 ERA) will start the series finale for the Mariners. Paxton is 0-2 with a 4.74 ERA over three career starts against the Astros.In his only start at Minute Maid Park, Paxton allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while recording seeven strikeouts over seven innings in a no-decision on April 30, 2015.dddddddddddd In two starts against Houston this season, Paxton is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA.Astros right-hander Doug Fister (12-12, 4.42 ERA) will make his eighth career start against the organization that selected him in the seventh round of the 2006 draft. Fister is 4-2 with a 4.64 ERA against Seattle, including 2-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts this season.The Astros got a boost on Tuesday night from the return of rookie third baseman Alex Bregman, whose pinch-single in the sixth inning pulled the Astros even at 4-4 and keyed a six-run frame that resulted in an 8-4 win over Seattle ace Felix Hernandez.Bregman suffered a right hamstring injury on Sept. 14 and was slated to miss 4-6 weeks, essentially the remainder of the regular season. He proved to be a fast healer and then, when the Astros desperately needed it, a clutch performer.Hes Alex Bregman, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. Hes sort of never out of an at-bat. His competitiveness, his readiness, hes been bouncing off the walls trying to get back in the game. He almost couldnt hold back his smile how good he felt. Now who knows when you go up there? There is a little bit of an unknown when you havent had an at-bat for a couple weeks. But hes put some good work in the cage, hes obviously prepared and ready. Hes got a youthful energy to him. ' ' '