Convenience Big Store: An unexpected contributor sparks an Astros win in Chicago

Today's starting lineup

The Astros had César Salazar around as a contingency. They found themselves having to break glass in case of emergency, and Salazar delivered in a big way Wednesday, driving in a pair of runs to pace a win over the White Sox. On the mound, Hunter Brown turned in a solid six innings to continue his recent resurgence. The Astros remain without Yordan Alvarez as he tends to a family matter. Once starter and backup in Houston, former Astros catchers Martín Maldonado and Korey Lee have flipped roles in Chicago.

As he enters his second season, Texas quarterback C.J. Stroud is building a connection with the city, as seen this week.

Today's Rockets draft scouting report looks at UConn center Donovan Clingan, who could provide an instant rim-protecting impact.

For the first time in program history, Texas A&M is in the championship round of the College World Series after beating Florida on Wednesday. Up next: No. 1 Tennessee in the championship series beginning Saturday in Omaha, Neb.

Quarterback Keisean Henderson stands out as not only the second-highest rated commitment in the modern recruiting era but for his headwear as well.

Sugar Land swimmer Simone Manuel has made her third Olympic team. Spring boxer Roscoe Hill, who was baptized by George Foreman, has taken a circuitous path to Olympic competition.

Stat of the day: 1. Run allowed by Astros right-hander Hunter Brown in his past 19 innings. He is 3-0 in those three starts.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 19: César Salazar #18 of the Houston Astros hits a RBI single in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Photo by: Quinn Harris, Getty Images

'Ready' and able to chip in

Third catcher César Salazar, a contingency plan for the Astros, proved able and contributed in a big way when called upon during Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

Two-pronged attack: Hunter Brown continued his recent strong run on the mound and his teammates piled up the hits as the Astros beat the White Sox.
Still away: For the second consecutive game, the Astros were without Yordan Alvarez as he attends to a family matter.
Rotation update: Spencer Arrighetti will start today's series finale against the White Sox, with uncertainty for Friday's homestand opener.
Catching up in Chicago: Korey Lee, traded from the Astros to the White Sox last July, is now Chicago's starting catcher with Martín Maldonado his backup, a reversal of their time together in Houston.
True impact player: If Jackie Robinson wedged open baseball's invisible iron door of integration, the late Willie Mays kicked it down four seasons later after he was promoted to the Giants.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud warms up throwing a basketball during an NFL mandatory mini camp practice Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Building a connection

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is entering his second year in the NFL and is showing how he has became a leader in the community and on the field.

Rockets / NBA

FILE - UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) reaches for the ball as Purdue center Zach Edey defends during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. Clingan is considered to be among the top prospects in this month's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Photo by: Brynn Anderson, Associated Press

Game-changing presence

UConn's Donovan Clingan, the only center likely to be a candidate to be selected with the Rockets' pick at No. 3, has the potential to transform Houston's defense.

College World Series

Texas A&M utility Gavin Grahovac (9) runs to first during an NCAA baseball game against Florida on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Photo by: Gary McCullough, Associated Press

Two wins from glory

Texas A&M shuts out Florida and will play for its first national championship against Tennessee in the College World Series championship round.

College Football

UH commit Keisean Henderson is one of the top college prospects for the class of 2026.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Keisean Henderson

Standout performer

Keisean Henderson, a QB from a charter school in Spring, is the highest-rated prospect to commit for UH since defensive lineman Ed Oliver. He also has a unique choice of headgear.

Olympics

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 19: Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske, Kate Douglass and Simone Manuel, from left, of the United States look on during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m freestyle final on Day Five of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 19, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Photo by: Al Bello, Getty Images

'It's a miracle'

Simone Manuel finishes fourth in the 100-meter freestyle to earn a spot on U.S. relay team for this summer's Olympics.

Punching up: Baptized by none other than George Foreman, 29-year-old flyweight boxer Roscoe Hill of Spring is now immersed in the pursuit of Paris glory.
Simone on screen: Before this year's Olympics, Netflix will premiere a new documentary that provides an inside look at Simone Biles' return to gymnastics competition. The trailer dropped Wednesday.