Astros Crawfish Boil: May 6, 2016

Astros News

Astros' Jose Altuve homers for boy with cancer | MLB.com
HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve met a boy with terminal cancer on the field before Thursday's game who asked him to hit a home run. Altuve delivered and then some, walloping a homer in his first at-bat to spark a 4-for-4 night in a 6-3 loss to the Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Altuve, who tied a career high with four hits, said the child initially told him to break his bat in his first at-bat so he could give it to him, and Altuve sent someone to the clubhouse to get him a new bat instead. Still, the fan wanted to see Altuve do something special.

Astros aren't doomed yet, but front-office mistakes hurting 2016 team - SweetSpot- ESPN
The moves to suddenly win now instead of continuing the methodic, rebuilding process might have set the Astros back for years to come.

Robinson Cano burns Astros in ninth inning to ensure Mariners victory - Houston Chronicle
Robinson Cano torched the Astros last week when they visited Safeco Field.

#Jakeday marks Marisnick's return to Astros - Houston Chronicle
When Jake Marisnick reentered the Astros' clubhouse on Thursday afternoon, he was greeted with not only his name on the lineup card but a hashtag next to it. "#Jakeday" someone, perhaps George Springer, had scribbled in black marker on the whiteboard on which manager A.J. Hinch hangs his lineup.

Astros prospect Alex Bregman returns to Corpus Christi lineup - Houston Chronicle
Astros prospect Alex Bregman returned to the Class AA Corpus Christi lineup Thursday after an 11-game absence because of a hamstring injury.

MLB News

The Padres almost threw their 1st-ever no-hitter. Almost. - SBNation.com
Friday's Say Hey, Baseball includes the Padres' attempt at their first no-hitter in 48 years, as well as the disappearance of the left-handed starter.

The Cubs are as good as they can be, but the Nationals can get close - SBNation.com
The Cubs are even better than expected, but the Nationals are surprising with a chance to improve.

Twins getting bang for their buck with Byung Ho Park - Twinkie Town
A lot of people were scratching their heads when Terry Ryan signed Byung Ho Park last fall, but the decision basically looks genius now.

The Red Sox need to promote Andrew Benintendi to Double-A - Over the Monster
Benintendi is just wasting time at High-A, and needs a new challenge he won't find by facing the same pitchers again.