Convenience Big Store: Hunter Brown gives the Astros a much-needed lift en route to win

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Today's starting lineup

After consecutive listless losses to one of baseball's worst teams, the Astros needed a lift. Enter Hunter Brown. The rookie righthander tossed five no-hit innings, with the bullpen coming two outs shy of the season's second no-hitter as Houston averted a sweep by beating Oakland to close its homestand. The Astros also got some good news as Ryne Stanek threw his first bullpen session since spraining an ankle earlier this month. Off the field, Martín Maldonado shed a light on online abuse his family has received.

One week in and Texans fans have some questions. Jonathan M. Alexander tackles some of them in his first mailbag of the season. Houston will be without two rotation players for a bit as Noah Brown and Hassan Ridgeway are headed to injured reserve.

NBA action when it comes to the assault charges against Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. could take some time, commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday.

How UH's loss to Rice prompted a team meeting to refocus the Cougars before Saturday's Big 12 opener against TCU. Joseph Duarte also answers questions about UH football in a new mailbag.

Stat of the day: 20. Players to hit 100 home runs with the Astros. Kyle Tucker became the most recent Wednesday night.

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) walks back to the dugout after striking out Oakland Athletics Shea Langeliers to end the top of the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

What Brown did for them

With the Astros needing to break a skid, rookie starter Hunter Brown picked a fine time to get some encouraging results Wednesday against the A's after altering his delivery recently.

So close to no-no: The Astros came within two outs of their fourth no-hitter in the past two seasons, but more importantly avoided a series sweep at the hands of the A's.
FIne by him: After another Astros team meeting following their second straight loss to Oakland, manager Dusty Baker said he supported players speaking up when they felt it was necessary.
Back on the bump: Ryne Stanek, out with an ankle sprain since Sept. 4, threw off a bullpen mound for the first time since being injured.
Hitting close to home: Astros catcher Martin Maldonado shared a post on social media from his wife about fans attacking her online after the team loses.
Catching strays: There was talk that Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield stole the Vikings' signs Sunday. The Austin native disputed that and took a shot at the Astros in the process.
Scherzer on shelf: The AL West rival Rangers suffer a blow, losing Max Scherzer for the rest of the regular season and likely the playoffs with a shoulder injury.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) is stopped by the Baltimore Ravens defense for a short gain during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Baltimore.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Mail call

Beat writer Jonathan M. Alexander answers readers' questions after the Texans' season-opening loss, including why isn't Tank Dell being used more.

Two men out: Wide receiver Noah Brown and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway were hurt in the Texans' season-opening loss, landing them on injured reserve.
Wait and see: After suffering a bruised lung in the Texans' opener, safety Jalen Pitre's status for Sunday's game remains uncertain.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) walks off the court after losing the 2022-2023 NBA season home opener to Memphis Grizzlies Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at Toyota Center in Houston. Houston Rockets lost to Memphis Grizzlies 129-122.

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer

No quick resolution

NBA commissioner Adam Silver called the assault allegations against Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. "horrific," but said the league's investigation won't be rushed.

College Football

Photo by: LM Otero, Associated Press

Coogs come together

In a 25-minute meeting Tuesday and surprise visit to Dana Holgorsen's weekly radio show, UH players huddled up to refocus after the loss to Rice and with the Big 12 opener against TCU ahead.

Facility development: UH and Memorial Hermann Health System are slated to announce a "major update" to the Cougars' planned football operations center.
UH mailbag: UH insider Joseph Duarte answers readers' questions in the wake of the Cougars' shocking loss to Rice in the Bayou Bucket game.
Keenum chimes in: Case Keenum, who'll be inducted into UH's Hall of Honor this week, offers a prediction for the Cougars' Big 12 debut against TCU.

High School Football

Hightower takes the field before the game against Westfield at Edward Mercer Stadium, Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023 in Sugar Land.

Photo by: Kirk Sides/Staff Photographer

Week 4: Games to watch

With a lot of Class 6A and 5A teams on bye this week, the Houston high school football schedule is a little thinner than usual.

Looking to keep it going: A year after a winless District 10-5A Division I season, Terry plays at Magnolia for a chance for consecutive wins to start district play.
Perfection on the line: New rivals Willis and Conroe, both 3-0 entering the second district game on the schedule, will meet for the fourth time Friday night.