Convenience Big Store: After humbling weekend, Astros rebound against Red Sox

Today's starting lineup

After a dreadful weekend showing, the Astros bounced back from an early deficit Monday to win their series opener against the Red Sox. While Cristian Javier got the win, the righthander's five-inning stint proved to be quite the grind. Houston did get one of its key bats back with Kyle Tucker's return to the starting lineup after a weekend illness.

Unfortunately, today's newsletter brings some sad and shocking news: Former UH forward Reggie Chaney, a popular role player on the Cougars' 2021 Final Four team, died Monday at age 23. Ex-teammates and coaches remembered him fondly.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans opens up on the decision to cancel this week's scheduled joint practices with the Saints. Monday also brought an injury update and a look at the staff operation during the preseason.

Joseph Duarte's latest Cougar Confidential looks at the revamped receiver corps along with other news and notes from UH athletics. As the season opener nears, the quarterback competition rages on at Texas A&M. In Austin, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian sees progress but also plenty of work to do.

Needville remains perfect at the Little League World Series and sits one win away from the U.S. championship game.

Stat of the day: 3. MLB players this season with 24 or more home runs and steals: the Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. (28/56), the Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (25/37) and the Astros' Kyle Tucker (24/24).

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz, left, and and Chas McCormick, center, celebrate at the plate near Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire, right, after McCormick's three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Photo by: Michael Wyke/Associated Press

Cashing in

The Astros take advantage of numerous Boston miscues en route to ending their losing streak at three games.

Grinding one out: Cristian Javier managed to pick up the win Monday, but the Astros starter had to work quite a bit just to get through five innings.
Big bat back: Kyle Tucker returned to a starting spot Monday against the Red Sox after being held out of the lineup for three days.
Help arrives: The Astros' overworked bullpen got a fresh arm Monday with righthander Seth Martinez called up from Sugar Land.

UH Basketball

Houston forward Reggie Chaney (32) goes to the basket during a drill at a practice ahead of the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. Top-seeded Houston play No. 16 Northern Kentucky in a first-round game to open the tournament.

Photo by: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer

Reggie Chaney: 1999-2023

Reggie Chaney, a member of the University of Houston's 2021 Final Four team, died Monday at age 23.

Reaction: Reggie Chaney, who played three seasons for the Cougars, was remembered fondly by teammates and coaches.

Texans / NFL

Miami Dolphins guard Austin Jackson (73) and Houston Texans defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) battle it out during an NFL training camp Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Safety first

After seeing injuries pile up in last week's joint practices with the Dolphins, the Texans made the decision to cancel their scheduled sessions with the Saints this week.

Injury report: While starting tackle Tytus Howard is making progress in his recovery from hand surgery, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans had no update on rookie receiver Tank Dell's status.
Smooth operators: Through two preseason games, defensive coordinator Matt Burke has called plays for the unit, letting coach DeMeco Ryans take a big-picture perspective.

College Football

Houston wide receiver Jonah Wilson (14) runs after making a catch during the first day of football practice at the University of Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Extreme makeover

In Joseph Duarte's latest Cougar Confidential, receivers coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. discusses the makeover at wideout along with more UH athletics news and notes.

Nothing settled: As Texas A&M's QB competition continues, coach Jimbo Fisher was pleased with both Connor Weigman and Max Johnson in a closed scrimmage last weekend.
Work in progress: Texas' season opener is less than two weeks away, with coach Steve Sarkisian seeing progress but work remaining before facing Rice.
Accolades for locals: Two players from Houston-area high schools were among the honorees on The Associated Press preseason All-America team released Monday.

High Schools

HOUSTON, TX OCT 6: Madisons Dolphins players warm up during the District 11-4A Division I high school football game between the Madison Dolphins and Waltrip Rams at Delmar Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Photo by: Leslie Plaza Johnson, Contributor

Weather concerns

Many high school football games across the Houston area have been pushed back because of high forecasted temperatures.

Stout secondary: Fort Bend Marshall, one of the Houston area's top football programs in recent years, will be led by a loaded defensive backfield in 2023 as the Buffalos break in younger players.
Volleyball rankings: Grand Oaks remains atop the Houston-area volleyball rankings while two new teams enter this week's top 10.
Volleyball top performers: A look at some of the top individual performers during the second week of the high school volleyball season in the Houston area.