Convenience Big Store: Victor Caratini gives Astros a wild series-opening win over Guardians

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Today's starting lineup

The Astros returned home Tuesday and it was far from uneventful. Victor Caratini, who's proving to be quite the shrewd offseason addition, capped a wild series-opening win over the Guardians with a pinch-hit, walk-off home run in the 10th inning, saving his team from what would've been a demoralizing loss after blowing a five-run lead. A busy day at Minute Maid Park also saw prospect Joey Loperfido finally make his Astros debut. As he arrived, the struggling José Abreu agreed to be optioned to the spring training facility in Florida in an attempt to regain his old form.

The Rockets fell short of returning to the postseason this year. What can Houston learn from the Timberwolves' resurgence that has seen Minnesota emerge as a top Western Conference contender?

A chat with UH coach Kelvin Sampson at the Big 12 meetings in the Phoenix area covered various topics such as roster additions, injury updates and the Cougars' NIL struggles.

As he's making the statewide rounds this spring, new Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko is choosing his words carefully when it comes to old/new conference rival Texas.

Stat of the day: 0. Runs scored in three extra-inning games by the Astros this season before Victor Caratini's home run Tuesday.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Victor Caratini (17) screams after his walk off home run during the tenth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Quite the addition

In addition to delivering a walk-off home run Tuesday, the Astros' backup catcher has been putting together solid at-bats, especially from the left side.

Three in a row: Down to their last out in the 10th inning, the Astros walked it off to beat the Guardians and push their win streak to three games.
Welcome to The Show: Joey Loperfido had a group of 16 people come in from New Jersey to witness his major league debut with the Astros.
Taking a step back: With his batting average at .099, first baseman José Abreu agreed to what amounts to a minor league option to the Astros' spring training facility as he tries to right his ship.
Making moves: The Astros created room on the active roster for prospect Joey Loperfido by placing Grae Kessinger on the injured list.

Rockets / NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, left, works around Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Photo by: Matt Krohn/Associated Press

Role model in Minnesota?

The Timberwolves' success this season provides the Rockets a lesson on taking the next step to playoff contender.

Rebuttal to Charles and Shaq: NBA legends (and TNT sportscasters) Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal are savvy businessmen, but they know nothing about Galveston, writes columnist Joy Sewing.
76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT): Tyrese Maxey saved Philadelphia from elimination with seven points in the final 25 seconds of regulation and finished with 46 in an overtime win in Game 5 at New York.
Cavaliers 104, Magic 103: Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and Evan Mobley blocked Franz Wagner's layup in the final seconds as Cleveland survived a scare from visiting Orlando to take a 3-2 series lead.
Bucks 115, Pacers 92: Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each scored 29 points as short-handed Milwaukee kept its season alive by routing visiting Indiana in Game 5.

College Basketball

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Sampson says

At the Big 12 meetings in the Phoenix area, UH basketball coach Kelvin Sampson discusses a variety of topics in a Q&A with beat writer Joseph Duarte.

Aggies add another: Texas A&M has likely netted a starting guard via the transfer portal in former SMU player Zhuric Phelps.

College Football

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko during the first half of Texas A&M's spring Maroon and White game at Kyle Field on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in College Station.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Treading carefully

As new Texas A&M coach Mike Elko begins his tour across the state, he's using caution in choosing his words about old (and new) conference rival Texas.

Sharing the wealth: The Big 12 will discuss the issue of revenue sharing plans that could reshape the NCAA model.
Texas secondary analysis: Pass defense was a vulnerability last season for the Longhorns, who might take a mix-and-match approach with their defensive backs in 2024.
A&M secondary analysis: Safety Bryce Anderson provides a leader for new coach Mike Elko, who added some potential starting cornerbacks via the transfer portal.

College Baseball

Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle says he'd like to see one renovation phase at Blue Bell Park completed by the spring of 2024 and perhaps the entire project finished by 2025.

Photo by: Sam Craft, FRE / Associated Press

A sticky situation

Videos of Georgia pitcher Christian Mracna suggest he used a foreign substance in a recent game against top-ranked Texas A&M

High School Golf

Cooper Paull points to the 138 total, including a final-round 66 on Tuesday, that earned him medalist honors in the Class 6A UIL boys state golf tournament at Georgetown's White Wing Golf Club.

Photo by: Ted Dunnam/Staff

Best in state

The Woodlands sophomore Cooper Paull shot a bogey-free 66 in the final round to win the Class 6A individual state title and helping the Highlanders to a second-place team finish.

Rally falls short: Defending champion Lake Creek made a charge on the final day, but finished just shy of a third-place finish at the UIL boys Class 5A state golf tournament.