Convenience Big Store: A wild Astros win and a momentous Rockets anniversary

Today's starting lineup

The fireworks are usually supposed to start after Friday night Astros home games. But Houston gave its fans an early treat, erupting for nine runs in the sixth inning. The Astros would need the large cushion they built, holding on to defeat Baltimore in a slugfest at Minute Maid Park. Prospect Jake Bloss began the night making his major league debut. He ended it the latest Astros pitcher to apparently be bit by the injury bug, with the right-hander lifted in the fourth inning with what he called "a little tweak" in his throwing shoulder. The matchup against the Orioles pits Astros manager Joe Espada against Brandon Hyde, his brother-in-law who's the Orioles' skipper. Please scroll down for more Astros coverage.

Today marks a momentous anniversary in Houston sports history: 30 years ago the Rockets won their first NBA championship and the city's first major league title by beating the Knicks in Game 7 of the Finals at The Summit. Former Chronicle sports columnist Fran Blinebury reflects on how the 1993-94 Rockets turned Houston into Clutch City. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich and players Matt Bullard and Mario Elie also share their memories of the journey. We also catch up with the players from that memorable squad. And relive the run through historic Chronicle front pages from the 1994 playoffs.

Today's Rockets draft scouting report breaks down forward Matas Buzelis.

After the ouster of Chris Pezman, UH insider Joseph Duarte looks at potential athletic director candidates for the Cougars.

Former Texas A&M football star Darren Lewis dies of cancer at age 55.

In a prelude to soccer's 2026 World Cup, the first of three Copa América matches at NRG Stadium begins tonight with Mexico against Jamaica.

Stat of the day: 79. Years since a team trailing 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final forced Game 7 before Edmonton did Friday against Florida. The most recent instance came in 1945, when Detroit forced Toronto to Game 7 before losing. The only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup Final was Toronto in 1942 against Detroit.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Jake Meyers, center, celebrates with Yainer Diaz after hitting a three-run home run off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to take a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

Needed every bit

The Astros' offense erupted for 14 runs against the Orioles, an explosion that was needed to hold off surging Baltimore.

Another arm down? In his big league debut, Astros right-hander Jake Bloss exited in the fourth inning, becoming the latest Houston pitcher with an injury concern.
Coming along: Astros reliever Kendall Graveman said his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery is going well but still involves several steps before he could return to a mound.
Family affair: This weekend's matchup between Astros manager Joe Espada and Orioles counterpart Brandon Hyde is one of brothers-in-law.
Roster shuffle: A hip ailment lands Victor Caratini on the injured list, with Joey Loperfido returning to the majors.
Dark days: Before MLB played a game at Rickwood Field, Astros advisor Reggie Jackson, who played a minor league season for the Birmingham A's in 1967, told horrendous stories of the racism he endured during that time.

Rockets' 1994 NBA championship: 30 years later

Fans at the Summit were in full force for Game 7 of the 1994 Western Conference semifinals. It was a sign of good things to come when the Rockets advanced with a 104-94 victory over the Suns.

Photo by: Richard Carson/Houston Chronicle

Exorcising the demons

Has it really been 30 years since the Rockets' first NBA championship? As former Chronicle columnist Fran Blinebury writes, that's both a lifetime and the blink of an eye.

Treasure trove of memories: The journey from Choke City to Clutch City left a string of indelible snapshots for those who helped bring Houston its first NBA championship 30 years ago.
Where are they now? Catching up with members of the Rockets' 1993-94 NBA championship team 30 years after they won the franchise's first title.
On the printed page: Upon the 30th anniversary of the Rockets' first NBA championship, relive the games through the Houston Chronicle's front pages from that playoff run.

Rockets / NBA Draft

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Matas Buzelis #13 of the G League Ignite makes a move during the first game of the G Leauge Next Up Game at Indiana Convention Center on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Photo by: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Scouting report: Matas Buzelis

Matas Buzelis may not be a top offensive option at the highest level, but some fine-tuning could make him mesh well with the Rockets' skills.

Giving back: Former Rockets assistant coach John Lucas will host his annual charity golf tournament Monday with some prominent names on hand.

College World Series

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 24: Head coach Jim Schlossnagle of the Texas A&M Aggies and head coach Tony Vitello of the Tennessee Volunteers shake hands after their game at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on March 24, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Photo by: Eakin Howard/Getty Images

Final frontier

Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle and Tennessee coach Tony Vitello share a background at TCU and a quest for their programs' first national title when their teams begin the College World Series championship round tonight.

Colleges

Boise State athletic director Jeremiah Dickey is familiar with UH after working in the Cougars' athletic department under former AD Mack Rhoades.

Photo by: Boise State Athletics

Who might be next?

As life after Chris Pezman begins for UH, beat writer Joseph Duarte looks at potential athletic director candidates for the Cougars' program.

Darren Lewis, 1968-2024: Darren Lewis, a two-time All-American at Texas A&M and the Southwest Conference's all-time leading rusher, died of cancer. He was 55.

NHL

Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman (18) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) as Panthers' Gustav Forsling (42) skates past during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Photo by: Jeff McIntosh, AP

Going the distance

Leon Draisaitl made his first major impact in the Stanley Cup Final, and the series is heading back to South Florida for a Game 7 that once seemed unfathomable as the Edmonton Oilers won their third straight game.

Soccer

Photo by: Julio Cortez, Associated Press

Copa comes to NRG

Mexico faces Jamaica tonight in Copa América at NRG Stadium, which is hosting three games of the 2024 event, which may include Lionel Messi and Argentina.