VALENCIA, Spain -- Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel will attempt to win the European Grand Prix from pole position for the third year in a row after setting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday. . The two-time defending Formula One champion set a lap of 1 minute, 38.086 seconds on Valencias 5.4-kilometre (3.3-mile) street circuit. "I have had a very good weekend, every day I have felt comfortable in the car," the German said. "We tried to give it our best shot at the end. I had a good feeling on the last lap and managed to pull everything together." It was the 24-year-old Vettels 33rd career pole, drawing level with Jim Clark and Alain Prost for the third most in history. F1 leader Lewis Hamilton, who has finished runner-up in three of the past four races in Valencia, is also on the front row. Without any major upgrades to his McLaren, the Briton said he had expected to be further down the grid. "I went into qualifying thinking: if I can get fifth I can fight from there," said Hamilton. "To see us on the front row is still a real shock for me, so I will definitely take it." Pastor Maldonado of Williams will start third alongside Romain Grosjean, the runner-up at the Montreal GP two weeks ago who continues to impress. He qualified in front of Lotus teammate Kimi Raikkonen in fifth. For Hamilton, both Lotus cars are a real threat. "The Lotuses look massively competitive, they will be the ones to look out for tomorrow," he said. Ferrari pair Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher of Mercedes failed to reach the third qualifying session. Schumacher, a seven-time F1 champion, will start between the pair in 12th place. Vettels teammate, Mark Webber, was eliminated after the first period because of mechanical trouble. He is 19th on the grid. Hamilton leads the standings by two points from Alonso and three from Vettel heading into the race. Vettel has won in Valencia the past two years after starting from the front of the grid en route to winning consecutive world titles. If he makes it three from three, Vettel will break the unprecedented run this season in which seven different drivers have won the first seven races. His sole win this season was at Bahrain, also from pole. The circuit that winds its way through the Americans Cup harbour with a series-high 25 turns and in a city known for high temperatures is notoriously hard on tires and for overtaking. Even so, Vettel doesnt believe victory is guaranteed by starting from the front of the grid despite the pole sitter winning three of the past four races in Valencia. "We have seen too much this year to sit here and predict what is going to happen," Vettel said. "It will be tough, hotter than today. There will be a lot of cars to look out for." After being knocked out in the second qualifying period at the last second by a great drive from Grosjean, Alonso said he doesnt have much chance of winning in front of his native Spanish fans. "You can sell the race however you want, but we will start 11th and try to take as many points as possible," the former two-time champion said. Schumacher took the blame for his poor showing. "Im not particularly happy about not making it through the Q2, but that was clearly down to me. I didnt get my lap together," he said. Hamilton, however, wont rule out the two former champions. "Look at the last race and you see that some people came back from 15th," Hamilton said. "We have to do our job and stay ahead of them." Webber had a bad day. After being limited to just four laps in the morning practice session due to brake problems, the Australian had trouble with his DRS, a flap on the rear wing that can help boost speed. "DRS doesnt work so the driver doesnt have much of a chance," Webber told Catalan television TV3. Marussia driver Timo Glock did not participate in qualifying because of stomach flu. He finished the third practice with the slowest lap. [url=http://www.lionsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-barry-sanders-jersey-aq-6... Sanders Jersey . -- Shaka Smart and Co. . New Faces - Nothing rejuvenates a fan base like a high draft pick that could become the new face of your franchise. [url=http://www.lionsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-jason-jones-jersey-le-71.... . For two straight games hes seen his team build two-goal leads only to have the defence around him dissolve in the final 20 minutes, leaving him virtually on his own. [url=http://www.lionsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-montell-owens-jersey-ak-7... Owens Jersey . -- The Oakland Athletics have had a different star for just about every monumental win theyve had this season. . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the basis of NHLs latest proposal is to reduce the leagues financial demands - believed to be approximately $460 million in the leagues first proposal - overall, including a $120 million reduction in its Year One demands.HOUSTON -- August was the most terrible month in Houstons dreadful season. Maybe the way the Astros started September is a sign that things will be better this month. Cincinnati second baseman Wilson Valdezs error on a routine grounder by Jose Altuve with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Astros to a 2-1 win over the Reds on Saturday night. Pinch-hitter Matt Downs doubled off the left field wall with two outs in the ninth. Sean Marshall (4-5) intentionally walked Matt Dominguez before hitting pinch-hitter Brandon Barnes to load the bases. Altuve hit the ball directly at Valdez, who was playing second after Brandon Phillips was ejected in the previous inning, and it rolled between his legs -- allowing Downs to trot home and Houston to break a six-game skid. Houston was 5-22 last month. "This game is about winning baseball games and Im really excited about whats going to happen here the next month," said interim manager Tony DeFrancesco, who won for just the second time since taking over for Brad Mills who was fired Aug. 18. "Weve got a nice group of guys trying to compete. Theyre trying to establish themselves as major league players. Its going to take a little time here in Houston, a little patience, and I think the reward is going to be seen down the road here." Wilton Lopez (6-3) got the last two outs in the ninth inning for the win. Valdez was disappointed he couldnt make the play. "That is just part of the game; what can you do? I made an error, we lost the game, and I feel mad because we lost the game because I made the error," he said. Phillips was ejected in the eighth inning after arguing a call. He was tossed after jawing with plate umpire Andy Fletcher on a called third strike on what Phillips thought should have been a check swing. Phillips protested somewhat calmly for a minute before getting more heated and having to be pulled away by manager Dusty Baker. "You know, he had a rough night, and there were some questionable calls," Baker said of Phillips. "He came in after the game, and he felt terrible about it. But, these things happen. You dont like them, but they happen. These games are emotional, and we just have to put this one behind us." He was gone from the clubhouse by the time reporters were allowed in after the game, but tweeted an apology. It started with a hashtag with the phrase "realtalk" and ended with a hashtag followed by "human." "Apologize to my fans, team, (and) also the umpires for actions tonight," he tweeted. [url=http://www.lionsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-joique-bell-jersey-kf-42.... Bell Jersey. "Not like me, but thats how I felt at the time!!!!" Zack Cozart and Drew Stubbs hit consecutive singles to get things going for the Reds in the first inning. Phillips grounded into a forceout that left Stubbs out at second and the Reds went up 1-0 on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Ludwick. The Astros mustered only three hits against Reds starter Homer Bailey, who entered the game 2-0 in three starts against Houston. Unfortunately for Bailey and the Reds, one of those knocks was a solo homer by Justin Maxwell which tied it in the fourth inning. The homer continued a streak of hot hitting for Maxwell in games where rookie Lucas Harrell is the starter. Maxwell has 13 homers this season and seven have come when Harrell is on the mound. Bailey was one strikeout shy of his career high by fanning nine Astros with one walk in eight innings. Fernando Martinez singled with one out in the second inning. Bailey retired seven straight after that before Maxwells shot to right field tied it at 1-1 in the fourth inning. He hit Martinez after Maxwells homer before getting back on track and sitting down the next 10 straight, including striking out the side in the seventh. Harrell pitched seven solid innings, yielding seven hits and one run with three strikeouts. He was lifted for Hector Ambriz in the eighth inning and he retired the side. "I felt comfortable throwing my sinker in today and a few times away and I got a lot of ground balls and that was kind of the plan. We wanted to conserve pitches today and get a lot of ground balls." DeFrancesco was happy with the performance he got from his bench. "The bench was alive," he said. "We used mostly the whole bench today, pinch-hitting, double-switching, it was a true team effort. Thats what were trying to establish in that locker room. Its about the team and not about individuals. Hopefully we can change this thing around." NOTES: Injured Reds 1B Joey Votto made three rehabilitation appearances for Class A Dayton and was scheduled to play for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday night. ... Houston claimed INF Brandon Laird off waivers from the Yankees before Saturdays game. ... The Reds recalled RHP Logan Ondrusek, INFS Didi Gregorius and Henry Rodriguez and OF Denis Phipps from Louisville on Saturday. ... The Astros activated CF Jordan Schafer from the disabled list and recalled Downs and RHP Jose Valdez from Triple-A Oklahoma City. ' ' '