Astros lose in Fla., return home Saturday
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. » Andrew Cashner pitched eight strong innings, Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 8-1 Wednesday night in a game relocated to Florida because of Hurricane Harvey.
A crowd of 6,123 — up from 3,485 the previous night for the opener of a three-game series at Tropicana Field — watched Cashner (8-9) limit the AL West leaders to three hits, one after the second inning.
Napoli’s homer off Dallas Keuchel (11-3) capped a six-run fourth inning for the Rangers, who’ve won two straight following a three-game skid.
Houston’s third loss in four games was overshadowed by the announcement earlier Wednesday that the Astros will return to home after Thursday’s finale to face the New York Mets this weekend.
After an unscheduled day off, the Astros will play a doubleheader Sat- urday and afternoon game against the Mets.
Manager A.J. Hinch broke the news to relieved players at an afternoon meeting. In addition to reuniting with family and friends, many of them plan to spend part of Friday assisting people affected by the storm.
Returning to Minute Maid Park figures to be emotional.
“I know it will be a warm welcome. ... You never know how much home means to you until you’re not allowed to go home,” Hinch said, adding it’s difficult to anticipate exactly what the scene will be like Saturday.
“Our attention is still going to be centered around the city and all the devastation that’s going on,” the manager added. “If we can provide any sort of relief, or any sort of escape, or any part of a distraction away from what’s going on, I think that’s going to be part of it.”
Keuchel retired 10 in a row to begin the game before Texas broke through for six runs within a span of Sunday six batters. Joey Gallo drew a basesloaded walk, Carlos Gomez delivered a two-run single and Napoli capped the surge with his 28th homer of the season.
“With the cooperation of the mayor’s office, we are going to play baseball at Minute Maid Park this weekend,” Astros president Reid Ryan said Wednesday. “Along with Mayor Sylvester Turner, we hope that these games can serve as a welcome distraction for our city that is going through a very difficult time. We hope that we can put smiles on some faces.”
The manager said players who are not able to get to the homes likely will be stay in downtown hotels or with teammates.
“We’ll be well aware of the streets that are closed, and the access to certain areas,” Hinch said.
“This group will stay together and help each other,” the manager added, “and then we’ll band together and help as many Houstonians as we can.”