Convenience Big Store: A positive outing for Tatusya Imai, albeit in an Astros loss

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If you stayed up through a lengthy rain delay, you saw pluses and minuses with the Astros on Monday night in Minneapolis. The positive? It undoubtedly was the encouraging start by Tatsuya Imai that had a couple hiccups but was one to build upon. The negative? That would be the Astros' offense that failed to capitalize on opportunities before and after the rain delay, dooming Houston to a second consecutive loss.

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 delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Photo by: Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Encouraging step

After a rocky return from the injured list, Tatsuya Imai showed some positive signs in Minnesota as he tries to acclimate to MLB.

Twins 6, Astros 3: Houston's offense stalled before and after a lengthy rain delay, dooming the Astros to a loss in Minnesota. Read More
'Excited' to return: As Jeremy Peña returned to start at shortstop, double-play partner Jose Altuve was officially placed on the injured list. Read More
Another arm arrives: Nate Pearson, who began the season on the injured list with elbow soreness, is back with the team and could be activated soon. Read More
Reliever shuffle: Jason Alexander is back with the Astros for his third major-league stint this season. Read More

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes over Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Rhattigan and Christian Rozeboom (56) for a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Sparring partners set

The Texans will hold joint practices with two preseason opponents, including one in Houston.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates after a dunk during the second overtime of Game 1 in a third-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday, May 18, 2026, in Oklahoma City.

Photo by: Tony Gutierrez, AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Opening thriller to Spurs

Victor Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime to open the Western Conference finals.

Texas A&M coach Rob Childress walks past a College World Series banner following team practice in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 16, 2017. Texas A&M plays Louisville in the NCAA baseball College World Series on Sunday. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Candidates for Cougars

UH hasn't been in the market for a baseball coach for 16 years but the Cougars are looking for a replacement for Todd Whitting. Here's a look at six potential candidates.

Longhorns on All-SEC: While two Texas players earned individual honors, ace Dylan Volantis was arguably snubbed for SEC Pitcher of the Year. Read More
Aggie accolades: Freshman Nico Partida, a Pearland graduate, is among the Aggies honored on the All-SEC team. Read More

College Tennis

Teammates celebrate with Daria Smetannikov of the Texas A&M Aggies after she clinched the championship on court 6 against the Auburn Tigers during the NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship held at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on May 17, 2026 in Athens, Georgia.

Another title for Aggies

Once again, Texas A&M rules the world of women's tennis, winning its second national championship in the past three years.

Longhorns fall short: The Texas men's tennis team made its sixth Final Four in seven seasons, but came up short of a national title with a loss to Virginia that came down to the final singles match. Read More

College Football

MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 02: A Sam Houston State Bearkats helmet lies on the ground during the Reese's Senior Bowl practice session on February 2, 2002 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tragedy for Bearkats

Sam Houston defensive back Will Davis has died, the program announced.

Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis shakes hands with Montreal Canadiens center Alex Newhook (15) following the overtime period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y.

Moving on

Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7-winning goal of the postseason, this time in overtime as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Buffalos Sabres in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference final.