Convenience Big Store: The good side of Hunter Brown's start in loss to Rockies

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Today's starting lineup

Hunter Brown hasn't won a game since June 13, and even though he lost again on Tuesday, how he responded after a tough first inning was more important to the team. Greg Rajan explains why.

A key factor in Houston's 4-3 loss was its offense. After scoring three runs in the top of the first, that was it for the Astros.

The Astros and Rockies finish their two-game series on Wednesday afternoon but there will just as much attention in Sugar Land where José Urquidy and Yordan Alvarez are scheduled to make rehab starts with the Space Cowboys.

There is some consternation over Framber Valdez in advance of his next start, but if you want some positive Astros news there's the offense of Chas McCormick.

Summer school, well summer league, is over for the Rockets. Jonathan Feigen takes a look at what we learned from team's 5-1 performance in Las Vegas.

As college football continues to creep closer, Jimbo Fisher still won't say that Bobby Petrino will call plays. "Hopefully" was the phrase he used this week at SEC media days. No matter the phrasing, A&M players are enthusiastic about the changes.

In high school football, the Heights has been a prime example of how HISD schools can succeed. But it's not easy. Coach Stephen Dixon explains.

And we leave you today with something a bit different. A look at Devown Hines, a chef to NFL players and the secret to good nutrition and longer careers.

Stat of the day: 12. Number of MLB teams to score 10 or more runs on Tuesday. That is second in MLB history. The record was 13 teams on July 4 in 1894.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman watches his RBI double off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jake Bird during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo by: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Houston's bats fizzle after early outburst

The Astros' bats started great, but the rest of the night was a different story in their series-opening loss to the Rockies on Tuesday.

Rocky start: Hunter Brown seemed destined for another short night after a turbulent first inning but bore down to give the Astros a chance in Tuesday's series opener.
Secret to success: Chas McCormick says you can never get too comfortable in the big leagues and you have to stick to your approach and belief in yourself.
Rehab, Part I: Yordan Alvarez, out more than a month with an oblique injury, will begin his rehab assignment Wednesday with Class AAA Sugar Land.
Rehab, Part II: José Urquidy, out since late April, will make the second start of his rehab assignment Wednesday in Sugar Land.
Question mark: It remains unclear whether Framber Valdez will make his next turrn in the Astros' rotation after leaving his last start with an injury.
One to go: The Astros have signed eight more draft picks, leaving one player from their 20-man class still unsigned.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson drives against Portland Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Friday, July 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Photo by: John Locher, Associated Press

What Rockets learned during summer league

Rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore were legit; second-year players Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason were too good, and there's a battle for two roster spots.

Texans / NFL

Gridiron chef: What life is like as NFL players' personal cook

Devown Hines knows the way to prolonging the careers of athletes such as the Texans' Jerry Hughes and 49ers' Trent Williams is by feeding them properly.

College Football

Texas A&M offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino yells to the a player during warms up before the start of the annual Maroon & White football game in College Station, Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Photo by: Sam Craft, Contributor

A&M's Jimbo Fisher says Bobby Petrino 'hopefully' will call plays

No matter the phrasing of the head coach, Aggies players are positive regarding changes on offense after a 5-7 season.

Warming trend: After resigning at Mississippi six years ago under NCAA microscope, Hugh Freeze, one of game's best offensive minds is back on big stage at Auburn.
Three-peat: Remember the Minnesota Golden Gophers of 1934-36? They were the last major college football team to pull off the trifecta.