Convenience Big Store: An unlikely duo helps put Astros on the brink of the playoffs

Today's starting lineup

One may be the loneliest number, but it's the only one the Astros are concerned with right now. One more win will put Houston in the playoffs for the seventh straight season after Friday's nailbiter win over the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. José Abreu's ground-rule double scored both runs in the sixth inning and the Astros held on during a tense finish. José Urquidy, called upon hours before the game to make a spot start, delivered six shutout innings to outduel Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen. Before the game, Astros reliever Hector Neris reitereated he did not utter a slur toward the Mariners' Julio Rodríguez on Wednesday.

The Astros and Rockets have taken over regional sports network AT&T SportsNet Southwest, which will be rebranded as "Space City Home Network" beginning Tuesday.

Week 5 of the college football season kicks off today. Donovan Smith's return to Lubbock highlight the UH/Texas Tech matchup. We also have previews of Texas A&M/Arkansas, Texas/Kansas and Rice/East Carolina. Please scroll down for more college football preview coverage.

The Texans will be without four players, including starting tackle Laremy Tunsil, when the Steelers visit Sunday.

Week 5 of the high school football season continued Friday with an emotional Katy win over Jordan. Please scroll down for more coverage.

Stat of the day: 8. Times in 70 career starts that José Urquidy pitched six or more shutout innings. The most recent time was April 12 at Pittsburgh.

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Jose Abreu (79) celebrates with Michael Brantley (23) after what he thought was a three-run home run but was challenged and turned into a ground-rule double that scored two runs during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game at Chase Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 in Phoenix.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Putting themselves in position

José Abreu came through with his biggest hit as an Astro as Houston edged Arizona to put itself one win away from clinching a playoff berth and keeping its long-shot division title hopes alive.

Delivering in big spot: A late replacement starter, José Urquidy stepped in and delivered six scoreless innings to help the Astros move closer to a playoff spot.
'Taken out of context': Astros reliever Hector Neris reiterates that he did not use a slur toward the Mariners' Julio Rodríguez and said he does not expect to face discipline from MLB.
On leave: The Astros were without Ryne Stanek on Friday after the reliever was placed on the paternity list.
France scratched: José Urquidy was a late substitution for J.P. France as the Astros' starter because of a family emergency.

Media

Josh Beckett on the Root Network pregame show with Bart Ennis, right, before the Houston Astros take on the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in Houston.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

Same channel, new name

Astros and Rockets games will continue to be aired on the same channel but now the franchises own what was AT&T SportsNet Southwest, which will be rebranded as Space City Home Network.

College Football

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Switch on South Plains

Quarterback Donovan Smith returns to Lubbock today with the Cougars a year after leading Tech to a double-overtime win over UH

Pick 'Em with Lamar Lathon: Former UH and NFL linebacker Lamar Lathon joins Joseph Duarte to make this week's college football picks.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas preview: The Aggies face the Razorbacks today in Arlington with a new quarterback and offensive coordinator who is still popular in Arkansas
Aggies Mailbag: Brent Zwerneman reflects on Texas A&M's neutral-site series against Arkansas in Arlington nearing its end and answers readers' Aggie football questions before today's matchup.
Texas vs. Kansas preview: The Longhorns host a Jayhawks team that has been steadily improving since a 2021 upset win in Austin
Rice vs. East Carolina preview: Rice plays its first home game as a member of the AAC today, but the Owls have a quarterback question ahead of the matchup against East Carolina.
Elsewhere in Texas: Baylor travels to Central Florida while Texas Tech hosts West Virginia in today's other Big 12 action.

Texans / NFL

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 24: Brevin Jordan #9 of the Houston Texans celebrates his touchdown with Josh Jones #74 during the second quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Photo by: Julio Aguilar, Getty Images

Four men out

Offensive tackles Laremy Tunsil and Josh Jones are among four Texans players ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Best of Watt: Ahead of J.J. Watt's induction into the Texans' Ring of Honor on Sunday, we look at 10 memorable moments from his decade in Houston.

High School Football

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Staff Photographer

Pushing through

In an "emotional game," Katy comes up big late to thwart Jordan and take over first place in District 19-6A.

North Shore 42, C.E. King 6: North Shore notched its 38th consecutive district victory and knocked C.E. King from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Cypress Springs 35, Cypress Ranch 31: A touchdown in the final minute allowed Cypress Springs to slip past Cypress Ranch and remain undefeated in the best start in program history.
Waltrip 47, Wisdom 0: Waltrip puts a halt to Wisdom's winning streak with a blowout win cut short by an electrical issue.
Around the area: A look at other notable games from a busy night on the gridiron across Houston.
Friday's scoreboard: Check out Friday's scores from around the Houston area and the state of Texas.