Convenience Big Store: Justin Verlander restores order as Astros get closer to first place

Today's starting lineup

What was it Ferris Bueller said, life moves pretty fast? Two days after holding a team meeting after being swept by Seattle, the Astros found themselves just a half-game behind the first-place Rangers on Tuesday after a second consecutive win over the Red Sox. Justin Verlander led the way against Boston, jawing with Red Sox manager Alex Cora as he turned in his best start since his return thanks to some adjustments. The Astros picked up the win despite Yordan Alvarez being a late scratch after a mishap involving a door.

As the UH basketball program and fans mourn, more details come out regarding former Cougars forward Reggie Chaney's death at age 23. In his weekly mailbag, beat writer Joseph Duarte answers readers' questions about UH football as the season opener looms.

With the preseason finale this weekend and roster cuts on the horizon, Texans beat writers Jonathan M. Alexander and Brooks Kubena check in with their second 53-man roster projection.

Tuesday marked 20 years since Scott Drew was hired as Baylor's men's basketball coach, with the Bears then at their lowest point. The work he's done in the two decades since has been miraculous, writes Jerome Solomon. At Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher's football recruiting machine keeps churning even without a recruiting director.

Stat of the day: 23. Starts for Justin Verlander with at least six innings pitched and no runs allowed during his two stints with the Astros since September 2017.

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) salutes home plate umpire Pat Hoberg before the Houston Astros host the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 in Houston. Houston Astros won the game 7-3.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

A changeup for Verlander

Justin Verlander turned in his best start Tuesday since rejoining the Astros, which featured a mechanical tweak and run-in with Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

Return to normalcy: Justin Verlander delivered a vintage performance, shutting out the Red Sox for six innings as the Astros won for the second consecutive night.
Good pulls: Ten of last year's 14 home runs by Chas McCormick were opposite-field shots. But balancing his power has been an emphasis this season, paying off with results to his pull side.
Change of plans: A mishap involving a door at his home knocked Yordan Alvarez out of the Astros' lineup for Tuesday's game against Boston.

UH Athletics

Houston Cougars forward Reggie Chaney (32) goes after a loose ball during the first half of a NCAA men's basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at the Fertitta Center in Houston.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Details emerge

An Arlington police report sheds more light on the death of former Houston basketball player Reggie Chaney on Monday at age 23.

Mailbag: Cougars insider Joseph Duarte answers readers' questions about UH athletics, including the timetable for expansion of TDECU Stadium.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans wide receiver Steven Sims (82) tosses a ball between drills during mandatory mini camp on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Rethinking the 53

For the second time, Texans beat reporters Jonathan M. Alexander and Brooks Kubena predict who will make the 53-man roster for the second time.

Transactions: The Texans make a pair of roster moves before their preseason finale, signing former Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler.

Colleges

Baylor head coach Scott Drew reacts on the sideline in the first half of a second-round game against North Carolina in the NCAA college basketball tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, March, 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo by: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Miracle in Waco

Hired 20 years at the Baylor program's nadir, Scott Drew came with a vision and has become one of the greatest coaches in the history of college basketball in Texas, writes Jerome Solomon.

Not slowing down: After parting ways with personnel man Kevin Mashack in June, Jimbo Fisher and Co. have still managed to land a number of heralded prospects at Texas A&M.

High School Football

Magnolia West small forward Brandon Taylor (3) dunks the hall during the first half of a District 21-5A boys basketball game at Magnolia West High School on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Magnolia.

Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer

Transition game

Brandon Taylor, the nephew of Basketball Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, will shift to the gridiron this fall for Magnolia West.

Work remains: Trey Owens, part of a 50-plus member senior class and a Texas commit, has unfinished business in his final season at Cy-Fair.

High School Volleyball

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Got their number

Fueled by 30 kills from junior Ella Lewis, The Woodlands won for the 10th straight time against Oak Ridge.

Cruising along: Fulshear continues its hot streak, rallying past Ridge Point for a five-set win.
Area roundup: Barbers Hill swept its way to victory, as did Tompkins and Atascocita in other notable matches.

Little League World Series

Needville, Texas' Jagger McRae, right, celebrates with DJ Jablonski, center right, after their win over El Segundo, Calif., in a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

Photo by: Tom E. Puskar/Associated Press

Viral sensation

Needville is on a roll at the Little League World Series, including making SportsCenter's Top 10 plays for the second time in three games, as a chance to make the U.S. championship game arrives today.