*Juan Centeno - playing in his first game as an Astro - and Yulieski Gurriel both hit solo homers and Lance McCullers held the Tigers to 1H/0ER, 5K:2BB in 6IP (now 22 scoreless IPs and counting for McCullers) for a 6-2 Astros win. Jake Marisnick had three hits, and the Astros are 31-15 with a 7-game lead.
*Hinch, on Centeno, who went 2x3 with an *intentional* walk and the Title Belt:
Given that's his first game this season with us, I'm glad he was in Spring Training with us to be very familiar with our guys. Fun night. He should be very proud of his effort, and our team responded well to him.
Centeno, with maybe the quote of the year:
I don't hit that many homers, so that was an experience. I never saw the ball. I just put my head down and kept running.
*The Astros are 2-0 against Detroit despite going 1x20 w/RISP in two games.
*Carlos Correa was sick yesterday.
*Tom Verducci: The curveball is taking over baseball (featuring Lance McCullers)
*The Baseball Assistance Team gave Bob Watson its lifetime achievement award. And if you're looking to kill a little time you can read about Watson scoring the one millionth run in Major League Baseball.
*Brian McCann and Dallas Keuchel are both looking at returning on Saturday.
*Alex Bregman talked to the Detroit Free Press about hanging out with Ian Kinsler during the WBC.
*The Nationals and Red Sox have been scouting Jose Quintana.
*Jeff Sullivan and the meaning of a team's 50-game record.
*Here's a big ol' scouting report on Japanese superstar Shohei Otani.
*Check out Chris Archer and his mindfulness.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
