Convenience Big Store: Can Christian Walker's walk-off homer unlock the hitter the Astros need?

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Today's starting lineup

There was no understating the importance of the Astros' series against the division-leading Mariners when it began. Houston ended it Sunday with a flourish — and three wins in four games after Christian Walker's walk-off homer, drawing with 1 ½ games of the AL West lead. Walker's homer gave the Astros not just a win, but something they've sorely lacked from their lineup this season.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Christian Walker, center, celebrates after hitting a game-winning two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Photo by: David J. Phillip, Associated Press

Just what they needed

Christian Walker delivered in a big spot for the Astros on Sunday. They no doubt hope his walk-off homer helps unlock the hitter Houston has been expecting to see this season.

Astros 5, Mariners 3: The Astros score the game's final five runs, capped by Christian Walker's walk-off homer, to win their series against the Mariners and draw within 1½ games of the American League West lead. Read More

College Baseball

Teammates celebrate as Texas Longhorns catcher Kimble Schuessler (10) walks to the dugout after putting the first run on the board for Texas in the third inning as the Longhorns take on the Florida Gators in Austin, May 9, 2025.

Photo by: Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

Hosts with the most

Southeastern Conference schools, including Texas, were awarded eight of the 16 regional sites for the NCAA baseball tournament. That ties the record the SEC set in 2023. The entire field will be announced today.

Barbers Hills' Aybrie Corona reacts after hitting a two-run home run off Smithson Valley starting pitcher Arianna Capek to take a 4-0 lead during the fourth inning of a Class 5A state semifinal game in Waller, Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

See you at state

Four Houston-area softball programs will play for state championships in Austin this week.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis.

Photo by: AJ Mast, AP

Knicks fight back

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks rallied from 20 points down to beat the Pacers and cut their deficit to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference finals.

NHL Playoffs

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Photo by: Jason Franson, AP

Deluged by gusher of goals

Zach Hyman had two goals and an assist and Connor McDavid added two goals as the Edmonton Oilers routed the Dallas Stars to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Final.

Alex Palou, of Spain, celebrates with fans after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Photo by: Michael Conroy, AP

History at Brickyard

Alex Palou has become the first driver from Spain to win the Indianapolis 500, holding off former Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson over the closing laps.

Going from worst to first: Ross Chastain passed William Byron with six laps left and won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, becoming the first driver to win the event after starting at the back of the field. Read More