Convenience Big Store: Tatsuya Imai has 'nervous' debut in another wild Astros win

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There was more than the usual pregame buzz for the season's fourth game Sunday at Daikin Park, what with ballyhooed Astros import Tatsuya Imai making his MLB debut. Let's just say he'll have better days. Imai admitted to being "kind of nervous" in what was a truncated start, with control issues chasing him in the third inning. His teammates picked him up, rallying for another high-scoring win to salvage a series split.

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

Greg Rajan, Weekend Sports Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai (45) walks off the mound as he is taken from the game during the third inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park in Houston, Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Whole new ballgame

Tatsuya Imai admitted to encountering "a different environment" in MLB as he struggled with his control and didn't make it out of the third inning of his Astros debut Sunday.

Astros 9, Angels 7: The Astros' bats outslugged the Angels for the second consecutive day, with another big hit by Isaac Paredes key to a late-inning rally. Read More
Trial and error: The Astros have lost all of their ABS challenges this season, but manager Joe Espada was fine with the timing and approach from his team so far. Read More

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after a 3-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Photo by: Matthew Hinton, Associated Press

Letdown avoided

The Rockets, who struggled against sub-.500 teams this season, didn't have a letdown Sunday night in New Orleans, blowing out the Pelicans behind a big game from Alperen Şengün.

UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) scores the winning basket during the second half against Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.

Photo by: Abbie Parr, AP

Elite Eight shocker

Braylon Mullins sank a desperation 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left as UConn stunned Duke in the East Region final.

Michigan 95, Tennessee 62: Yaxel Lendeborg scored 27 points and Elliot Cadeau had 10 assists as the Wolverines rolled into the Final Four by overwhelming the Volunteers. Read More
Final Four overview: The Final Four is set, with Arizona the early favorite to win it all. Read More

NCAA Basketball Tournament / Women

Texas Longhorns players place their name in the bracket after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

Photo by: Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos, NCAA Photos Via Getty Images

A sign of disrespect?

When the Longhorns put their name in the wrong place on the bracket after beating Kentucky, Michigan took offense ahead of their Elite Eight matchup tonight, writes Kirk Bohls.

Roundup: No. 1 seeds UConn and UCLA became the first teams to clinch their spots in the Women's Final Four. Read More

Houston Open / Golf

Gary Woodland salutes the gallery after winning the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday at Memorial Park Golf Course.

Photo by: Mike Mulholland, Getty Images

Inspirational triumph

Gary Woodland, who has an ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder after undergoing brain surgery, finished with a flourish to win comfortably for his fifth PGA Tour victory.