Astros visit Harvey victims in Houston
HOUSTON — Jose Altuve smiled as he watched a group of children who were victims of Hurricane Harvey trying unsuccessfully to score a goal in a soccer game against Orbit, the Houston Astros’ furry mascot.
Houston’s All-Star second baseman should have been just yards down the road on Friday, preparing to start a series against the New York Mets, but flooding in the wake of the storm pushed the start of the series to today. Altuve and about half of the Astros spent a chunk of their day off at a shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center, trying to spread cheer to those who lost it all in the storm.
“We need to do everything we can to help,” said manager A.J. Hinch, who brought his wife and two daughters. “It’s our humane obligation to make another person smile today.”
The Astros returned to Houston on Thursday night after their scheduled home series against the Texas Rangers was moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, because of the storm.
The AL West leaders will play the first professional sporting events in Houston since it was ravaged by the storm with a doubleheader today, hoping to provide a few hours of distraction at the end of a terrible week.
“It’s going to be emotional for sure,” catcher Brian McCann said. “I think it will only bring everyone closer together. What this city’s gone through is devastating and we want … for three hours for people to not have to think about their tragedies as much and put a smile on people’s faces.”
Friday games
INDIANS 3-10, TIGERS 2-0: In Detroit, Mike Clevinger pitched six sharp innings and Cleveland swept a day-night doubleheader, routing Detroit for its ninth straight win.
The AL Central-leading Indians won the opener on Francisco Lindor’s single in the ninth. DODGERS 1, PADRES 0: In San Diego, Clayton Kershaw struck out seven in six scoreless innings in his return from injury to lead Los Angeles to a win over San Diego. RED SOX 4, YANKEES 1: In New York, Doug Fister dominated for seven innings and Boston backed him with three home runs to beat the Yankees. ORIOLES 1, BLUE JAYS 0 (13): In Baltimore, Jonathan Schoop doubled home Manny Machado in the 13th inning as Baltimore outlasted Toronto. CUBS 2, BRAVES 0: In Chicago, John Lackey pitched seven crisp innings and the Cubs beat Atlanta.
BREWERS 1, NATIONALS 0: In Milwaukee, Jimmy Nelson struck out 11 over seven innings, and Milwaukee beat Washington. ROYALS 7, TWINS 6: In Minneapolis, Mike Moustakas homered and Kansas City held off Minnesota. DIAMONDBACKS 9, ROCKIES 5: In Denver, Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 10 and Arizona beat Colorado.
RANGERS 10, ANGELS 9: In Arlington, Texas, Carlos Gomez scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a wild pitch and Texas moved up in the AL wild-card race in a matchup that took 4 hours, 33 minutes, setting franchise records for both teams as the longest nine-inning game in club history. PHILLIES 2, MARLINS 1: In Miami, Philadelphia was shut out for seven innings but rallied for two runs in the ninth. MARINERS 3, ATHLETICS 2: In Seattle, Mike Leake overcame a shaky beginning to throw seven innings in his Seattle debut, and the Mariners snapped a fivegame losing streak. RAYS 3, WHITE SOX 1: In Chicago, Logan Morrison hit his 34th homer and Tampa Bay beat Chicago. REDS 7, PIRATES 3: In Pittsburgh, Adam Duvall drove in two runs to lead Cincinnati over Pittsburgh.