Convenience Big Store: Astros' win includes long-distance dedication from Framber Valdez

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Those of us old enough remember the late Casey Kasem's "long-distance dedications" on his top-40 countdown radio shows. Framber Valdez sent out one of his own Friday night in Anaheim, dedicating his complete-game performance to injured teammate Cristian Javier after the Astros' series-opening win over the Angels. Yainer Diaz homered in his fourth straight game, continuing a recent offensive upswing. Before the game, the Astros placed top run producer Kyle Tucker on the injured list with a shin contusion.

Texas A&M's Braden Montgomery is no stranger to the College World Series, but looks for his first trip with the Aggies when they host Oregon in a super regional beginning today.

UH's Louie Hinchliffe adds national champion to his résumé after winning the 100 meters at the NCAA outdoor championships.

It'll be an all-Houston area showdown for the Class 6A state baseball championship today in Round Rock after Tomball and Pearland pull off tight semifinal victories.

Co-leader Caleb Surratt gets off to a hot start at Houston's LIV Golf debut.

Two Houston-area players lead Team USA to a cricket upset for the ages over global power Pakistan.

Save the date: Chronicle readers are invited to a private Zoom chat at noon on Tuesday, June 11 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rockets' first NBA championship with former players Mario Elie and Matt Bullard. Click this link to register for the event.

Stat of the day: 11. Complete games thrown in the major leagues this season after Framber Valdez's on Friday.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez, right, meets with catcher Victor Caratini after Valdez threw a four-hitter in the team's 7-1 win against the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game Friday, June 7, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Photo by: Ryan Sun/Associated Press

Long-distance dedication

After tossing a complete game to beat the Angels, Astros starter Framber Valdez dedicated his performance to teammate Cristian Javier, who had season-ending surgery this week.

Starting on right foot: Yordan Alvarez's bases-clearing double sparks a five-run seventh inning to break open a close game and support Framber Valdez's complete game in a series-opening win over the Angels.
Tucker on the shelf: Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker was placed on the injured list after fouling a ball off his shin days earlier.
Heating up: Yainer Diaz had a strong month of May handling the Astros' pitching staff but his hitting slumped. Now, his bat is starting to pick up.
Procedures complete: Astros pitchers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy both undergo Tommy John surgery, which will sideline them for 12-14 months.

College Baseball

Texas A&M outfielder Braden Montgomery (6) 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

He knows Omaha

Braden Montgomery played in the College World Series twice while at Stanford and has a chance for a third after his transfer to Texas A&M, which hosts a super regional against Oregon starting today.

UH Athletics

UH sprinter Louie Hinchliffe won a national title in the 100 meters Friday.

Photo by: Gunnar Rathbun / UH Athletics

Best in the land

Louie Hinchliffe becomes UH's seventh outdoor national champion in the 100 meters, using a late push to finish with a personal-best time.

In the running: UH's 4x100 relay team of Ireon Brown, Louie Hinchliffe, Cayden Broadnax and Shaun Maswanganyi takes third at the NCAA outdoor championships.
Borrowing from champs: Using an idea from reigning national champion Michigan, UH's new football facility will have a mud room and "car wash" as part of the post-practice routine.

Golf

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Off to hot start

Caleb Surratt, who turned pro in January, is one of three tied for the lead in first round of LIV Golf Houston

High School Baseball

Tomball's Blaine Lucas (14) reacts after hitting a bases-loaded, two-run single to take a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning of a Class 6A state semifinal high school game during the UIL State Baseball Championships at Dell Dimond, Friday, June 7, 2024, in Round Rock.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

Coming through in time

Blaine Lucas' timely late RBI single and C.J. Sampson's shutout help Tomball knock off San Antonio Johnson and set up an all-Houston area Class 6A championship game.

Pearland 2, Lewisville Flower Mound 1: In a rematch of last year's state championship, Nico Partida helps Pearland turns the tables on Flower Mound Marcus to send the Oilers to their second straight Class 6A final.

Dash / Soccer

The Dash were shut out by Racing Louisville FC on the road Friday night. Photo credit: Houston Dash

Photo by: Courtesy Of Houston Dash

Clogged up in Kentucky

The Dash suffer their third shutout loss of the season, falling at Racing Louisville.

Sabercats / Rugby

Christian Dyer of the Houston SaberCats moves upfield against the Seattle Seawolves during their Major League Rugby fixture March 22 at Starfire Stadium.

Photo by: Houston SaberCats

SaberCats vs. RFC Los Angeles preview

The Sabercats, the top team in Major League Rugby, host RFC Los Angeles tonight to begin a home-heavy closing stretch to the regular season.

Cricket

USA bowler Ali Khan, left, is seen alongside teammates during the national anthem before the third of a three-game T20I series at the Prairie View Cricket Complex, Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Local flavor in all-time upset

In one of the sport's biggest upsets, the U.S. national team stunned the cricket world by beating Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, with two Houston-area players having key roles.