Convenience Big Store: Another magical and powerful display at Minute Maid

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Today's starting lineup

It was another powerful show at Minute Maid Park on Saturday as the Astros beat the Angels again. You might call it magical, Jerome Solomon writes.

Kyle Tucker was locked in again, enough to get some MVP love from teammate Jose Altuve.

The fun on the field came after Bill Brown and Bill Doran were officially inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.

But it wasn't all happy talk. José Abreu (back) and Phil Maton (elbow) each went on the injured list.

As the summer heat continues, college teams like Texas A&M are finding refuge in new indoor facilities. It's a far cry from the Junction Boys, and that's a good thing.

Stanford, one of the brand names in college sports, is suffering a reversal of fortune as it remains left out of the college realignment frenzy.

UH, happily in the Big 12 after years of trying to climb back can relate to the plight of the Pac-12.

And in high school football, North Shore carries on as one of the favorites for the upcoming season despite a change in coaches.

Stat of the day: 30-30. With 24 steals and 22 homers, Kyle Tucker has a 30-30 season with sight after having 30 homers and 25 steals last season.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Kyle Tucker (30) reacts after hitting a three-run home run against Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 in Houston .

Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer

A vote for Kyle Tucker for MVP

On a night he had three hits of his own, Astros' Jose Altuve remarked on the performance of Kyle Tucker and his "MVP type of season."

Magic: There is no Enron Curse when it comes to these Astros and the magical moments they keep producing
Astros 11, Angels 3: Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker combined to go 9-for-16 with four walks and drive in eight runs.
Back pain: José Abreu said lower back discomfort has bothered him off and on this season and is now on injured list.
Elbow pain: Phil Maton was struck on his pitching elbow by a comeback line drive Friday night and is on injured list.
Select group: Longtime play-by-play announcer Bill Brown is the fifth non-player to enter the Astros Hall of Fame, and Bill Doran is the 21st player to receive the honor.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans guard Kenyon Green (59) is seen during warmups along with offensive tackle George Fant (77) before a NFL pre-season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Mass.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Rising and falling

Jonathan M. Alexander looks at whose stock is up and whose is down after the Texans' preseason opener.

College Football

Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics

How Texas A&M beats the heat with new indoor football facility

Gone are the days of the Junction Boys and working out in 100-degree heat as Aggies and others head indoors to new facilities

It starts with D: Chalk up a victory for Rice's defensive unit, which dominated the offense in the Owls' first scrimmage of camp.
Welcome change: If Johnny Manziel had been allowed to count his money out in the open, a lot of people would have been better off.

College Realignment

New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman listens to questions during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. ( Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle )

Photo by: Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle

Jilted in the '90s, UH comes out smelling like a realignment rose

The Cougars can relate to the four Pac-12 schools now left to fend for themselves, part of a harsh reality in this age of the superconference.

Reversal of fortune: Unwilling to alter its identity built on academics and sports excellence, Stanford has found itself facing a worst-case scenario after years as an NCAA standard-bearer.

Basketball Hall of Fame

Photo by: Jessica Hill, Associated Press

Texas A&M 'got the best' of Hall-of-Farmer Gary Blair

From coaching girls basketball at South Oak Cliff to Stephen F. Austin and finally Texas A&M, Gary Blair created a legacy of winning.

College Basketball

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) takes a shot against Cincinnati guard Dan Skillings Jr. (0) during the second half of a semifinal basketball game in the American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament on Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Fort Worth.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

UH on top Down Under

Emanuel Sharp had 22 points and six 3-pointers in the Cougars' 109-65 exhibition win over Frankston Blues in Seaford, Australia.

High School Football

North Shore coach Willie Gaston at practice during fall camp.

Photo by: By Marcus Gutierrez

North Shore football enters new era under Willie Gaston

With return of QB Kaleb Bailey and plenty of starters from 2022, Mustangs ready to dominate once again under new coach.

High School Volleyball

Grand Oaks went 8-0 at the Katy-Cy-Fair tournament, finishing with a sweep of Stratford in the gold bracket championship match Saturday afternoon at Cinco Ranch High School.

Photo by: Dennis Silva II

Grand Oaks dominates Katy/Cy-Fair tourney

Grand Oaks earned its first Katy/Cy-Fair tournament championship without middle blocker Jaela Auguste, who is in Croatia helping USA's U19 team to a gold-medal win.

Lessons learned: Episcopal joined Pearland and Clear Springs as quarterfinalists in the John Turner Classic
Roundup: Results and scores from the first week of high school volleyball action in the Houston area.