Springer: Streak snapped with 3 Ks (c) Associated Press

The Houston Chronicle famously plastered a tombstone on its front page back in 2005 to signify that their below-.400 Astros, believed by many to be a contender that year, were dead in the water. We all know what happened after that.

On Sunday, the Astros lost to the Rangers, 9-2, for their fourth straight defeat to fall ten games in back of Seattle for the division lead. For you optimists, they are just 8-1/2 games out of the final wild card spot, coincidentally held by these same Rangers who have now won all six head-to-head matchups with Houston so far this season.

Dallas Keuchel keeps drawing the worst pitching assignments and not living up to the matchup. Sunday was no different as Cole Hamels tamed the Spacemen while Keuchel allowed five runs in the third to blow the game open early.

Astro-killer Adrian Beltre got the key hit, a two-run double when Keuchel was close to escaping a jam with just two runs allowed. Nomar Mazara added three RBI's, including a two-run homer.

Hamels tossed eight innings and allowed two runs on five hits while fanning eleven. Houston plated one run in the third after an error and a double by Jake Marisnick, Jason Castro scored on a bouncer by Jose Altuve. Evan Gattis added a solo homer in the sixth.

Maybe it isn't Tombstone Time yet but it is getting close and the first step ought to be dismissing Hitting Coach Dave Hudgens who has the team batting a league-worst .231 as a team. They may be fifth in homers and eighth in runs scored but they have been unable all year to get the hit that mattered. Maybe Criag Biggio could come in and mentor the hitters on a temporary basis. He seems to know a thing or two about getting hits to fall.

After a day off Monday to look in the mirror, the Astros will open a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. Doug Fister (4-3) has quietly put together a personal three-game winning streak and will test his mettle against righthander Chris Tillman (6-1) in the Tuesday 7:10 Central opener.

So far, the Astros have only made minor moves to try to push themselves back into contention. Perhaps they are whistling past the graveyard or perhaps there is time to start making some major changes before it is too late.

- Bob Hulsey