Convenience Big Store: Astros' bats struggle mightily in series-opening loss to lowly White Sox

Today's starting lineup

It was an ignominious start to a series Tuesday in Chicago for the Astros. Their bats were literally Cannon fodder, with White Sox rookie Jonathan Cannon coming one out shy of a shutout against an ineffective Houston lineup. Framber Valdez's struggles with control proved costly as the White Sox eked out two runs despite just two hits. On the injury front, Justin Verlander was placed on the injured list with his neck ailment while Kyle Tucker still hasn't resumed baseball activities after suffering a shin contusion two weeks ago. Yordan Alvarez, meanwhile, was not with the team because of a family matter.

Baseball loses an icon with the death of Giants great Willie Mays at age 93, two days before the team was to play in his old Birmingham ballpark.

With their appearance in the Finals, the Mavericks top the NBA's Texas triangle right now. When will the Rockets and Spurs join the party? Today's Rockets draft prospect scouting report looks at Kentucky sharpshooter Reed Sheppard.

Save the dates: The Texans have announced their training camp schedule and the practices that will be open to the public.

How two Ivy League exes have helped Texas A&M baseball get to within a game of the College World Series championship round.

Stat of the day: 4. Teams in NHL history to force Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final after trailing the series 3-0: 1942 Maple Leafs (beat Red Wings in seven), 1945 Red Wings (lost to Maple Leafs in seven), 2012 Devils (lost to Kings in six) and the 2024 Oilers, who beat the Panthers on Tuesday in Game 5.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 18: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros speaks to umpire Derek Thomas #106 after striking out in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 18, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Photo by: Jamie Sabau, Getty Images

Struggle on South Side

The Astros outhit the White Sox 7-2, but Houston couldn't deliver in run-scoring opportunities in a shutout loss to the team with the worst record in the major leagues.

Not a command performance: Framber Valdez's struggles with control prove costly, especially with non-existent run support as the Astros start their series in Chicago on the wrong note.
IL for JV: Three days after he was scratched from his scheduled start, Astros ace Justin Verlander was put on the injured list Tuesday with neck discomfort.
Alvarez away: Yordan Alvarez, who's started all but one game this season, missed Tuesday's series opener against the White Sox due to a family matter.
Still inactive: As the Astros began a series in Chicago, Kyle Tucker had yet to resume baseball activities after fouling a ball of his right shin two weeks ago.
Willie Mays, 1931-2024: Willie Mays, the iconic "Say Hey Kid" widely considered MLB's best and most entertaining player, dies at 93, two days before the San Francisco Giants' tribute game in his native Birmingham.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) drives to defend Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) at Toyota Center on Sunday, March 31, 2024 in Houston.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

State of hoops?

Houston, Dallas and San Antonio have never been elite at the same time in the NBA but Texas' time as hoops heaven is coming, writes Jonathan Feigen.

The right fit? Kentucky's Reed Sheppard has eye-popping 3-point shooting numbers, a Rockets weakness from last season, but can they ignore other parts of his game?

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass during an NFL football mini camp practice on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Going camping

The Texans will begin training camp in a month, the team announced Tuesday, with the dates that practices will be open to fans.

College World Series

Photo by: David Buono / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

Ivy League infusion

Hayden Schott and Jackson Appel, a pair of Ivy League transfers, have helped put Texas A&M baseball one win away from the College World Series championship round.

College Football

A Texas Longhorns helmet sits on the turf after the Big 12 Championship game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on December 2, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Photo by: Matthew Pearce / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

Another blue chipper on board

The University of Texas' quarterback room already is loaded and could stay that way with the commitment of Dia Bell, a top player in the Class of 2026.

NHL

Edmonton Oilers players congratulate center Connor McDavid (97) after McDavid scored a goal during the third period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. The Oilers defeated the Panthers 5-3.

Photo by: Rebecca Blackwell, AP

Not going away quietly

Connor McDavid had two goals and two assists as the Edmonton Oilers fended off elimination yet again by beating the Florida Panthers to force Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final.

Olympics

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 18: Simone Manuel of the United States reacts after a preliminary heat of the Women's 100m freestyle on Day Four of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Photo by: Al Bello, Getty Images

Paris in sight

Sugar Land's Simone Manuel wins her semifinal in the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. swimming trials to get in position for earning a third Olympic berth.

Cook is back: Kassidy Cook, a member of the 2016 U.S. team, wins the 3-meter synchronized event to qualify for this year's Paris Olympics after just missing the Tokyo team.