Convenience Big Store: A Schlossnagle stunner: Baseball coach defects from Aggies to Longhorns

Today's starting lineup

It's a cliché, but quite apropos in this case: What a difference a day makes, at least for the Texas A&M baseball program. The Aggies played for the national championship Monday night in Omaha. Less than 24 hours later, their coach was on the move, with Jim Schlossnagle leaving College Station for archrival Texas. His stunning departure capped a jarring 24 hours for the Aggies and their faithful.

After a day off, the Astros pick up where they left off, with a clinical beating of the Rockies for their sixth straight victory. Hunter Brown has another stellar start, with some extra giddy-up on his fastball. Manager Joe Espada also provides injury updates for Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker.

Decision day is here for the Rockets as the NBA draft arrives. What could they do with the third overall pick? And with an eye toward the future, Houston adds at least another first-round pick in a deal with Brooklyn.

Stat of the day: 32-21. The Astros' record since April 27, the best record in the AL West and fourth-best in the AL during that span.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

College Baseball

Texas A&M head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle walks the dugout during game 1 of the Mens College Worlds Series finals against Tennessee at Charles Schwab field on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Omaha.

Photo by: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

Texas-sized shift

One day after Texas A&M lost in the College World Series final, coach Jim Schlossnagle was lured away by rival Texas to replace David Pierce in a stunning move.

24-hour upheaval: It's a jarring 24 hours for Texas A&M. First, a crushing loss in the College World Series final and then losing coach Jim Schlossnagle to its bitter rival.
Another heartbreaker: Texas A&M was seven outs away from its first baseball national championship. Where does that near-miss rank among Texas schools' most painful title-game losses?

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers in the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

The need for (more) speed

In making his seventh consecutive quality start while beating the Rockies on Tuesday, Hunter Brown showed some extra velocity on his four-seam fastball.

Six and counting: In beating the Rockies for their season-best sixth consecutive win, the Astros pulled within a game of .500 for the first time since opening day.
Long and winding road: Sunday was a day to savor for Luis Contreras and Bryan King, who made their MLB debuts as the latest two pitchers among the 28 used by the Astros this year.
Injury updates: Justin Verlander could return Monday from the injured list, but is making "slow progress" with his neck injury, said manager Joe Espada, who also provides updates on other players including Kyle Tucker.

Rockets / NBA Draft

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone laughs during a press conference following the end of the team's season Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

TIme to decide

Though he is open to dealing the No. 3 pick, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone could add a helpful piece if no one makes a suitable offer for the selection before tonight's draft.

Adding assets: A pre-draft trade with the Nets, at its core, gives the Rockets one more first-round pick than they previously had beyond this year.

Olympics

Athing Mu walks off after falling in the women's 800-meter final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Monday, June 24, 2024, in Eugene, Ore.

Photo by: Chris Carlson, AP

Title defense ends

Track officials have denied an appeal by 800-meter Olympic champion Athing Mu, who got tangled in a pack of runners and fell at the U.S. trials, denying the former Texas A&M runner a chance to defend her title.