*The Astros enjoyed a 3-run 5th inning as well as a couple of Correa extra-base hits on their way to a 4-2 win over the Braves. All four runs were scored with two outs.
*Correa:
We have, what, 34, almost 35 games now? I don't think we need any more tests. We're very confident and playing really good baseball. I think we have a great team, and we're going to be able to be successful if we keep doing what we're doing.
*Joe Musgrove was better today, allowing just a pair of solo homers in a 6IP, 4H/2ER, 4K:3BB outing. Luke Gregerson pitched a perfect IP, Harris loaded the bases but prevented any runs from scoring, and Giles threw a perfect 9th inning.
*Alex Bregman was 0x4, snapping a 10-game hit streak.
*The Astros' 23-11 record is the best start in franchise history.
*But now everyone's all excited about the four-game Astros/Yankees series. Richard Justice wrote about how the Astros are preparing for this series. Altuve:
It's hard to not think about the future when you're winning a lot. But we have to stay humble and play day-by-day. I think we have a bright, bright future. Right now, it's just a cool experience playing with these guys.
Anthony Castrovince: Astros/Yankees an October preview.
Beltran:
It's a huge series. They're playing well right now, we're playing well right now. They feel good about themselves, we feel good about ourselves. So it's going to be a fun one.
*Newsday says it's another measuring stick for the Yankees. Brett Gardner:
I'm aware of what kind of team they have, but I think we have a good team too.
Joe Girardi, on Houston:
Really good team. They swing the bats, they pitch well, very athletic. They're playing extremely well. I think it's an exciting series. Seems like we've had a lot of those lately.
*Dallas Keuchel gets the start tonight against Michael Pineda. Keuchel, vs. the Yanquis, career:
Five starts, 38.2IP, 25H/7ER, 36K:5BB
*Josh Beckett talked about his new role as a pre- and post-game analyst for Root Sports SW.
*Luke Gregerson is auctioning off The Eagle and donating the profits to St. Jude.
*The IFC show Brockmire had a bunch of baseball writers on the show, and Jonah Keri is a literal giant.
*UH kicked 2017 1st Round draft prospect Seth Romero off the team.
PreStros Report: Games of May 10
Fresno was mercifully off.
So was Corpus.
Salem busted off a 5-run 2nd inning on their way to a 7-2 win over Buies Creek (20-13). Hector Perez suffered his own walks and from an Anibal Sierra error in a 1.2IP, 2H/5R (1ER), 3K:5BB outing. Sebastian Kessay allowed 2H/0ER, 3K:2BB in 2.1IP with two inherited runners scoring. Elieser Hernandez threw 4.1IP, 3H/2ER, 9K:1BB. Howie Brey struck out the final two batters of the game. BCA was 1x12 w/RISP and left 10 LOBsters. Christian Correa was 3x4 with a double. Jason Martin was 2x4 with a double. Kyle Tucker had an RBI double.
Bowling Green had three big innings to put the whoop on Quad Cities (16-15) 10-2. Cuban lefty Cionel Perez, who earned his first domestic win in his last outing, got roughed up for 7H/6ER, 1K:2BB in 1.2IP. Randy Cesar was 2x4 with a walk; Spencer Johnson was 2x4 with an RBI.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
