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Today's starting lineup

It was simply not a good night for the Astros against the Athletics in Sacramento, Calif. Yanier Diaz missed a pop-up that set up the A's with a big inning, and Cristian Javier was off target for a second consecutive start. It added up to an 11-4 loss to start a roadtrip.

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

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Cristian Javier of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Sacramento, California.

Photo by: Eakin Howard, MLB Photos Via Getty Images

Cristian Javier has a second consecutive poor start

The Astros are counting on Cristian Javier to have a rebound season but he has had control problems in his first two starts.

Athletics 11, Astros 4: The Athletics score six runs in fourth inning when Yainer Diaz drops an infield pop to end Houston's winning streak. Read More
Absent: Isaac Paredes was placed on the bereavement list and will miss at least three games. Shay Whitcomb was recalled to fill his roster spot. Read More

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Photo by: Karen Warren, Associated Press

Rockets' shots starting to fall as they crush Jazz for biggest blowout of season

The Rockets, who currently are fifth place in the Western Conference, stretched their win streak to five games with an easy victory over the Utah Jazz.

Playhoff plan: The Rockets have clinched no worse than a No. 6 seed in the West, but can climb as high as No. 3. So, will Ime Udoka push his team in the final five games to get a higher seed? Read More

NCAA Basketball Tournament / Women

Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) and forward Madison Booker (35) leave the court during a timeout in the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Photo by: Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

'This will haunt me'

Vic Schaefer's best Texas team met its match against UCLA to bring season to an end.

UCLA 51, Texas 44: Texas fell in the NCAA Final Four semifinals for the second year in a row with a loss to UCLA, a team the Longhorns had beaten in regular season. Read More
Shouting match: Geno Auriemma said it was a pregame snub of a handshake that had him so upset in the NCAA women's Final Four. Read More

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Tennis

Thiago Agustin Tirante (ARG) in action during the singles quarterfinals of the Men's Clay Court Championship on April 3, 2026 at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas.

Photo by: Icon Sportswire, Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

Argentina's Thiago Agustín Tirante upsets Ben Shelton at U.S. Clay Court

Roman Andres Burruchaga and Thiago Agustín Tirante of Argentina will meet for first time in the semifinals of the U.S. Clay Court Championship.

High School Soccer

Atascocita celebrate after the team's Class 6A boy UIL state semifinal win over Cibolo Steele to advance to the championship match at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Cy-Fair.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Atascocita gets shot at first boys soccer state title after semifinal victory

Atascocita will play for a state championship for the first time in program history following a 4-1 victory against Cibolo Steele in the UIL Class 6A Division I state semifinals.