co Liriano (6-11, 5.34).Twins: Minnesota is scheduled to send Kyle Gibso

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Now that his flag-carrying duties are out of the way, Michael Phelps is eager to get started on his fifth Olympics.That will likely come Sunday in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, a title the Americans are gunning to reclaim after getting chased down by the French in 2012.Phelps expected debut would be one of the highlights on the second day of swimming at the Rio Games, though hed have to share the spotlight with Katie Ledecky.Shell be seeking the first of an expected three individual gold medals, going in as a heavy favorite in the 400 freestyle. The only suspense seems to be whether shell break her own world record.Ledecky already picked up her first medal of the games, anchoring the womens 4x100 free relay to a silver-medal finish behind Australia on Saturday.Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, wants to do his part for the mens relay team.Thats something Ive had the privilege to be a part of since 2004, and Im hoping to have the opportunity again, Phelps said. Its always super-fast and there are always some wild, crazy splits that take place.In 2008, the Americans memorably defeated the French when Jason Lezak rallied against Alain Bernard with the fastest 100 split in history, a victory that kept Phelps on course to win a record eight gold medals in Beijing.Four years ago, the French got their revenge when Yannick Agnel caught Ryan Lochte on the anchor leg.This time, its hardly a two-country race.The Australians figure to be in the mix, especially riding the momentum of an impressive opening night at the pool. They captured two gold medals, also taking the mens 400 free when Mack Horton held off defending Olympic champion Sun Yang of China, doubling up on the one gold medal they managed during their disappointing performance at the 2012 London Games.You can probably pick three or four teams that are going to have a chance to win that relay, Phelps said. The Australians made a significant charge over the past couple of years with their mens and womens teams combined. A lot of younger guys really stepped up, and that brings more excitement to the sport.The Americans are eager for gold after getting shut out on the first night of swimming, settling for three silvers. It was a first time they failed to win at least one race during an Olympic finals session at the pool since Aug. 14, 2008 -- the lone day Phelps didnt go for gold in Beijing.Phelps has been part of the 4x100 free relay at the last three Olympics, even though the 100 free has never been one of his individual specialties. Its unfathomable that the Americans would leave off a swimmer with 18 golds and 22 medals overall, especially after a dismal performance at last years worlds when the U.S. didnt even qualify for the final -- a performance that was especially galling to Phelps, who had to sit out the meet as part of his punishment for a second drunken-driving arrest.I do know that the coaching staff will put out the four fastest guys, whoever that is, Phelps said coyly. Im looking forward to either watching or being in that race.Also on tap for the second day of swimming: finals in the womens 100 butterfly, in which Swedens Sarah Sjostrom is favored to take down defending champion Dana Vollmer of the U.S., and the mens 100 breaststroke, where Adam Peaty of Britain already took down his own world record during the preliminaries.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry . Soccer Jerseys Clearance . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Cheap Liverpool Jerseys China . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.cheapsoccerchina.com/cheap-barcelona-jerseys-china_76s.html .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Outlet . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Cheap Soccer Jerseys China .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. MINNEAPOLIS -- The Houston Astros found their offense against the Minnesota Twins.Evan Gattis homered and had four RBI, Carlos Correa went deep for the third straight game and Houston beat Minnesota 10-2 on Thursday night to sweep a doubleheader.Houston had 16 hits in the nightcap, three fewer than it had in a 15-7 win during the day. The 35 combined hits and 25 runs rank second in franchise doubleheader history.The doubleheader was necessitated by a rainout Wednesday, a game Minnesota led 5-0 in the third before storms arrived.We had one continual day of offense that didnt stop, manager A.J. Hinch said. It was a fun day; a long day, pretty exhausting, but to walk out of here with two wins after being down by a lot of runs in the rain is a pretty good feeling.Jose Altuve had four hits in the first game and was 1 for 4 in the nightcap. He leads the majors with a .365 batting average and has reached base in 41 straight road games.Chris Devenski (1-4), who had 21 straight relief appearances after making four early season starts, allowed two hits and struck out five during five strong innings for his first major league victory.Its exciting, he said. It was fun. More to come now.Minnesotas Miguel Sano had two hits, including an RBI double.For the better part of two weeks, Houstons offense was lacking. Before scoring seven runs in a win Tuesday, Houston scored 18 runs in its previous 10 games, winning just twice.This is a long year and youre going to have stuff like that, and we were able to swing ourselves out of it today, said George Springer, who had five hits in the two games, including a home run.Tommy Milone (3-4) breezed through the first inning before Gattis hit a three-run homer in the second and Springer added an RBI single for a 4-0 lead.Milone experienced soreness in his shoulder and bicep and said he is not 100 percent. He will get an MRI on Friday.Correa launched a 445-foot drive to the second deck in right-center to make it 5-0 in the third.Its been crazy, feast or famine right now for us, Gattis said.Andrew Albers, called up to be the Twins 26th player, made his first appearance since May 1, 2015 with Toronto and pitched the final six innings. He gaave up five runs, including two runs in each of his first two innings.ddddddddddddAlbers threw 108 pitches, tying the team record for most by a reliever in one outing -- Oscar Munoz did the same on Aug. 21, 1995.What he did, you cant underscore enough, manager Paul Molitor said. He came out and got banged around the first couple innings and ended up throwing 108 pitches.Minnesota has an AL-worst 4.97 ERA and used four relievers in the first game before shortstop Eduardo Escobar got the final three outs.Thats because Jose Berrios (2-3) was ineffective for the third straight start, lasting just two innings and giving up six runs and eight hits. Since his Aug. 1 recall from Triple-A, he has allowed 12 earned runs in 13 innings.In seven starts this season, the righty has a 9.32 ERA over 28 innings, permitting 39 hits and 14 walks.Doug Fister (11-7) allowed eight hits and five earned runs in seven-plus innings to earn the Game 1 win.DOUBLING UPThis was Houstons 255th doubleheader, but first against an American League team. The Astros were in the National League from 1962-2012.LOTS OF ARMSEscobar and Albers became the 25th and 26th players to pitch for the Twins this season, a franchise record. The old record was 25 in 2012.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: Hinch said RHP Luke Gregerson felt fine after an aggressive bullpen session Wednesday. Out with a strained left oblique muscle, Gregerson is eligible to come off the DL Friday. . RHP Ken Giles is going on paternity leave and will not travel to Toronto with the team.Twins: After allowing six runs in the first game, LHP Buddy Boshers was placed on the disabled list with left elbow inflammation. An MRI is planned for Friday.UP NEXTAstros: Joe Musgrove (0-0, 0.79) is scheduled to make his second career start Friday in the opener of a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays Francisco Liriano (6-11, 5.34).Twins: Minnesota is scheduled to send Kyle Gibson (4-6, 4.86) to the hill Friday as it welcomes Kansas City for a three-game set. The Royals plan to counter with Yordano Ventura (7-9, 4.64). ' ' '