Convenience Big Store: How do the Astros do it? 'The standard is winning.'

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Today's starting lineup

The Astros have been without their top slugger since May 2. Three starters from their initial rotation are on the injured list. Three rookies are aiding that group. Another is batting cleanup. A fractured rib interrupted their shortstop's star-making season last week. Yet they keep winning. A sweep of the Dodgers gave the Astros the best record in the majors since May 22.

How do they do it?

"The standard is winning; that was preached to me as soon as I signed here," said Zack Short, one of the latest underalded players to make a difference. "I think everybody pulls on the same rope and it's pretty evident from the success this organization has had over the years."

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

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Zack Short tosses his bat after being walked during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Photo by: Jessie Alcheh, Associated Press

'The standard is winning': How the injury-riddled Astros keep rolling

Zack Short is latest player to step in for Astros who have the best record in baseball since May 22 after sweep of Los Angeles Dodgers.

All-Stars: Jeremy Peña and Hunter Brown are All-Stars for first time while closer Josh Hader is a six-time selection. Read More
Sweep success: The Astros concluded a six-game road trip with three wins in a row over NL's top team. It was Houston's first sweep at Dodger Stadium since 2008, Read More
Another injury: Jake Meyers' calf 'tightened' on him in fifth inning against the Dodgers and came out as Houston Astros wanted to be cautious. Read More

Rockets / NBA

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) warms up on the court before an NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs at Moody Center on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Durant played his lone college season at the University of Texas in 2006-07, forging a connection with the Longhorn program and the city of Austin.

Photo by: Sam Owens, San Antonio Express-News

How the Rockets got Kevin Durant and Clint Capela. Details of 7-team trade

The finalized mega trade resulted in the Rockets acquiring Kevin Durant and Clint Capela, while giving up two picks in this year's draft, five future second-round picks, cash and David Roddy.

Mexico holds up the Concacaf Gold Cup trophy after it's 2-1 win over USA at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Mexico won the game 2-1.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

Mexico feels right at home at NRG and rallies to beat U.S. for Gold Cup

Mexico captain Edson Álvarez scored the winning goal in the 77th minute on a play that was originally ruled offside but overturned on replay

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire takes questions at the NCAA college football Big 12 Media Days in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

Photo by: Sara Diggins, Associated Press

Can college football glory be bought? Texas Tech isn't first to try

With the addition of Felix Ojo, listed in 247Sports' composite rankings as the seventh-best overall recruit in the country, the Red Raiders' roster became even more expensive.

Texas Floods

Photo by: Courtesy Lytal Family

Former Memorial football player confirms daughter among missing

Wade Lytal, now an assistant football coach at Trinity University in San Antonio, confirms his daugher Kellyanne among the missing from Camp Mystic floods.