HOUSTON -- Dexter Fowler is looking forward to a new beginning with the rebuilding Houston Astros while also dealing with what he calls a bittersweet ending to his time with the Colorado Rockies. [url=http://www.thefaclonsshoponline.com/Youth-Steve-Bartkowski-Falcons- Jersey/]Steve Bartkowski Womens J

HOUSTON -- Dexter Fowler is looking forward to a new beginning with the rebuilding Houston Astros while also dealing with what he calls a bittersweet ending to his time with the Colorado Rockies. Steve Bartkowski Womens Jersey . Astros acquired the outfielder and a player to be named from the Rockies on Tuesday for outfielder Brandon Barnes and right-hander Jordan Lyles. Drafted by Colorado in 2004, Fowler has spent his entire career with the Rockies. He joins a team that has posted three straight 100-plus loss seasons, including a franchise-record 111 losses in 2013 in its first year in the American League. "There are definitely challenges, but at the same time you just got to look at the positives," Fowler said. "And the positive is that there are young guys here and theyre eager to win and theyre eager to put their (effort) into the game ... anything I can do to help, Im just going to go out and play hard every day and Im sure well definitely see the tides turn." The speedy 27-year-old Fowler hit .263 with 18 doubles, 42 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 119 games last season. Fowler, a switch-hitter who primarily plays centre field, hit .300 in 2012. "One of our goals this off-season was to bring in an outfielder who can spark our offence," Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Dexter is an exciting player who can help with the bat, with his legs, and with his glove." Fowler missed a big chunk of the last month of the season with an injured left knee, but said Tuesday that the problem was behind him. "Im awesome," he said. "Im healthy and ready to go." Fowler hasnt had any extended conversations with Luhnow, but expects to play centre field for the Astros next season and called the position "home." He isnt worried about navigating Tals Hill in centre field at Minute Maid Park. "I played in the biggest yard in major league baseball, so I dont think anything is as challenging as Coors is," he said. The Astros had the lowest payroll in the majors last season at less than $30 million. Houston owner Jim Crane said this off-season that he planned to start investing money into the payroll this season, and Tuesdays move is a sign that he was serious about that statement. Fowler is set to make $7.35 next season before he is eligible for arbitration in 2015. Fowler said he doesnt know any of the Astros players. He said he does know manager Bo Porter and is looking forward to playing for him. Fowler is spending this off-season in Salt Lake City and said hell train there until spring training because he and his wife are expecting their first child in January. "She cant travel," he said, "so neither can I." The 23-year-old Lyles was 7-9 with one save and a 5.59 ERA in 27 games -- 25 starts -- in 2013. He was a supplemental first-round pick by the Astros in 2008 and fills a need the Rockies have for a starting pitcher. Lyles made his debut at 20 and already has 65 career starts. He feels fortunate to have so much experience at such a young age. "Im going to continue to learn," he said. "Ill never stop trying to learn." But he does know that pitching at Coors Field wont be easy. "The park is obviously different," he said. "A lot of people dont like going there, but Im up for the challenge and I think its going to be fun." Barnes, also 27, hit .240 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs as a rookie last season. He also became known for his knack for hustling to make great catches in centre field. "Im excited for a new chapter and a new experience," Barnes said. "Ive always prided myself on how hard I work and I plan on working really hard there and being a part of the Rockies future and hopefully winning some championships." Qadree Ollison Falcons Jersey . HABS HEADED TO CONFERENCE FINAL The Montreal Canadiens scored early in Game Seven, built a lead and protected it well on their way to a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Boston Bruins. While this game or series isnt necessarily a referendum on the value of fourth lines, the Canadiens certainly benefitted from production lower down their forward depth chart. Calvin Ridley Falcons Jersey . The Ravens werent about to let it happen again. Carleton picked up its fourth straight national mens basketball title, and 10th in the last 12 years, with a 79-67 victory over its crosstown rival on Sunday. http://www.thefaclonsshoponline.com/Kendall-sheffield-falcons-jersey/ . Inter moved five points behind fourth-place Fiorentina and eight points behind third-place Napoli, which visits relegation-threatened Sassuolo on Sunday.Chapel Hill, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Marcus Paige scored 16 points to lead all scorers and help No. 20 North Carolina beat UAB, 89-58, on Saturday. The Tar Heels (9-3) used a number of dunks to dominate the points in the paint battle by a 40-28 margin. Kennedy Meeks netted 14 points and grabbed a game- high nine rebounds and Justin Jackson contributed 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. C.J. Washington led the Blazers (4-9) with 12 points and pulled down seven boards. Robert Brown and Chris Cokley joined Washington in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Blazers shot just 3-of-25 from long distance and 30.5 percent overall. UNC led the game from wire-to-wire starting with a Meeks jumper a minute into the game. The Tar Heels jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the first five minutes by forcing five turnovers and getting six points from Meeks. The three-point shot for them, when it is going in, theyre almost unstoppable to guard, said UAB coach Jerod Haase. And they are so good in transition, theyre so good getting the ball inside, theyre so good getting fouled, and so when they are hitting some threes, and it doesnt have to be 10-12-14 threes in a game to have a big-time effect. With six minutes remaining in the half, the Blazers cut thheir deficit to 10 points, but the game would not get any closer. Takkarist McKinley Jersey. North Carolina finished the half on a 17-6 run for a 44-23 lead at the break. The Tar Heels ran their lead to as much as 36 in the second half when Theo Pinson scored five straight points for UNC with 2 1/2 minutes left but the Blazers scored the final five points of the game to account for the final margin. While each team committed 18 turnovers, UNC was much more effective converting the takeaways into points. The Tar Heels scored 27 points off the Blazers turnovers while UAB only scored 15. The only disappointing thing, in the second half, was the turnovers, said UNC coach Roy Williams. Everybody?s trying to hit a home run. Just make the easiest play and dont try and make something when its not there. Game Notes North Carolina leads the all-time series, 4-1 ... UAB has not beaten a ranked team since they beat the Tar Heels on Dec. 1, 2013 ... UNC outrebounded UAB 44-33 ... The Tar Heels collected 19 assists as a team and the Blazers only had 10 ... UNC takes the court next against William & Mary on Tuesday while UAB does not play until Jan. 4 when it opens Conference USA play against Middle Tennessee. ' ' '