Convenience Big Store: Tatsuya Imai dazzles in first Astros win before 'Champagne fight'

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Today's starting lineup

Tatsuya Imai's Astros debut was one to forget. Saturday was a different story, with the Japanese hurler picking up his first MLB win and being treated to a "Champagne fight" after Houston's blowout of the A's.

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

Greg Rajan, Weekend Sports Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai, center, smiles in the dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Photo by: Sara Nevis, Associated Press

9 strikeouts, a win and 'Champagne fight'

After a rocky debut, Tatsuya Imai — boosted by ample run support — settled in and showed Houston the form that attracted the Astros to him in picking up his first MLB win.

Astros 11, A's 0: After a lopsided loss the night before, Houston turned the tables on the Athletics, piling up the hits and baserunners in historic fashion. Read More
Decisions loom: Relievers progressing in injury returns and the move to a six-man rotation will prompt coming roster decisions for the Astros' bullpen. Read More

Rockets / NBA

Mike D'Antoni will return to Toyota Center as an assistant with the Nets on Wednesday.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

Hall call for D'Antoni

Mike D'Antonio, the offensive innovator has the best winning percentage of any coach in Houston franchise history, was among this year's electees to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bennett School's Karson Reeder, right, celebrates after a home run during a high school sports academy baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Different approach

The Bennett School in Houston uses AI-powered classes and baseball training to draw elite players, raising questions for public schools.

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Photo by: Houston Chronicle

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NCAA Final Four / Men

Michigan's Nimari Burnett, left, and Will Tschetter (42) celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Arizona at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis.

Photo by: Michael Conroy, AP

Never in doubt

Michigan overpowered Arizona early and humbled the Wildcats all night long, turning the Final Four meeting billed as the Game of the Year into a Wolverines highlight reel.

UConn 71, Illinois 62: UConn got another critical 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins and coach Dan Hurley's Huskies are heading back to the national title game, beating Illinois as they seek their third championship in four seasons. Read More

NCAA Final Four / Women

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, left, and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma argue after a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix.

Photo by: Rick Scuteri, AP

Auriemma apologizes

Veteran UConn coach Geno Auriemma was apologetic for his outburst at South Carolina counterpart Dawn Staley after their Final Four dust-up went viral Friday night.

Ready to rumble: South Carolina And UCLA expect the physical play to continue in today's national championship game, but they hope it's not to the same brutal degree as the semifinals. Read More