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MINNEAPOLIS -- Barely a year after acquiring Carlos Gomez, the Houston Astros have let the two-time All-Star center fielder go amid a season-long slump.The 30-year-old Gomez was designated for assignment Wednesday before the game in Minnesota, where he played two seasons at the beginning of his career.Manager A.J. Hinch praised Gomezs attitude despite the persistent struggles, but he was batting .210 with 100 strikeouts in 295 at-bats and a woeful .594 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. His contract was expiring at the end of the year.I just think he put a lot of pressure on himself to be perfect, and the harder he tried, sometimes the more difficult it became, Hinch said. It wasnt a lack of effort. It wasnt a lack of preparation. It wasnt a lack of anything other than production on the field.Gomez and starting pitcher Mike Fiers arrived from Milwaukee the day before the non-waiver trade deadline last year for four prospects, none of whom have reached the major leagues with the Brewers yet. But Gomez, who was making $9 million this season, will go down as one of the franchises biggest busts.Sometimes it just doesnt work. I know he carried the burden of being the big acquisition in July. He often spoke of feeling responsible and trying to play better for the team, knowing that he was a big addition last July during the playoff race, Hinch said. We can poke holes at guys, especially on their way out the door, but Ill choose to remember the more positive impact -- the home run in New York in the playoffs, the continual energy behind the scenes, the selflessness in talking to some of the young players.The Astros were a surprise AL wild-card team last year and after beating the Yankees fell to the World Series champion Kansas City Royals in five games in the next round. Gomez hit .242 with 13 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases in 41 games for the Astros after the trade.This season, hes been badly off track. He even made two glaring gaffes in the field Monday, his last game for Houston, by letting a single skip by him for a two-base error that allowed one run to score and losing a routine fly ball that became an RBI triple during a three-run fifth inning for the victorious Twins.He wasnt having a good year, obviously, but at least he tried hard, second baseman Jose Altuve said.Trying too hard has long been one of Gomezs troubles, a multi-talented athlete who has inconsistently harnessed his exuberance.We really wanted to start to play the guys who we felt were going to help us on a nightly basis more than the others, and thats not knocking Carlos Gomez at all, Hinch said. I think he brought his best every single day to try to help us win.The Astros recalled right-handed reliever Jandel Gustave from Triple-A Fresno to fill Gomezs roster spot. Jake Marisnick will take over in center field, and Tony Kemp will get plenty of time in left field. Colby Rasmus is on the disabled list with an ear problem. Wilt Chamberlain Lakers Jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. LeBron James Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.lakersteamofficial.com/Nick-Van-Exel-Lakers-Jersey/ . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. 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Hopefully our results will start changing and the main thing is to work hard and to keep that going.We have got a good team spirit, great lads and we work hard for each other and it shows against the big teams. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price The performances have been really good, its just the results maybe we deserve a bit better.ddddddddddddSouthampton sit in 10th place in the table ahead of the visit of the Reds to St Marys, with 13 points from their 11 matches.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Southampton video Southampton fixtures Southampton stats Get a ￡10 free bet! ' ' '