Astros Crawfish Boil: June 8, 2023

Here’s your Thursday Boil!

Houston dropped their second straight contest to the Toronto Blue Jays despite a game effort from number six starter Ronel Blanco. The Astros get their chance to take the season series with tonight’s series finale.

Houston Astros News

Kirk drives in go-ahead run in 7th, Bassitt works 8 innings as Blue Jays beat Astros 3-2 (newsday.com)

Jose Altuve home burglary: Edwin Boulous among people charged in connection to player’s watches stolen on Astros Opening Day (abc13.com)

Jose Abreu, Chris Bassitt have interaction after pitch-clock violation (houstonchronicle.com)

Report: Houston trade targets include Cy Young pitcher & former Astro killer (houston.sportsmap.com)

Forrest, Kyle and other matters (chipalatta.com)

Astros manager Dusty Baker squashes Alex Bregman’s 162-game dream (houstonchronicle.com)

How Astros GM is finally addressing the catcher position (houston.sportsmap.com)

Houston Astros Potential Trade Targets: Starting Pitchers (bvmsports.com)

Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. teams up with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Houston (fox26houston.com)

Jeremy Pena absent Wednesday for Astros (numberfire.com)

AL West News

Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr. gets real about San Diego’s offense after destroying Mariners (clutchpoints.com)

Seattle Mariners Split Series in San Diego: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly! (kcentv.com)

Mariners help the Padres look like the team everyone thought they would be in the offseason, lose 10-3 (lookoutlanding.com

Burleson homers in Cardinals’ 1-0 win over Rangers, Semien’s hitting streak ends at 25 games (ctpost.com)

Jon Gray’s gem wasted as Texas Rangers fall to St. Louis Cardinals (lonestarball.com)

Ex-Rangers reliever Shawn Tolleson talks Tommy John recovery (dallasnews.com)

Oakland Athletics win consecutive series, Noda homers, Hogan Harris gets1st win, 9-5 over Pittsburgh Pirates (republicworld.com)

Nevada revisits Oakland Athletics stadium plan in special legislative session (newspressnow.com)

California politicians ask MLB to support bid to keep A’s in Oakland (sfchronicle.com)

Angels recall Jo Adell as Hunter Renfroe goes on paternity list (ocregister.com)

Angels Stadium’s Future Remains Uncertain with Arte Moreno & City Officials Not Cooperating (si.com)

Former MLB Star Shares His Top Shohei Ohtani Landing Spot (thecoldwire.com)

MLB News

Wildfire smoke postpones MLB games, other East Coast sporting events (Washingtonpost.com)

Reds’ Elly De La Cruz hits 458-foot shot for first MLB homer - ESPN (ESPN.com)

Pete Alonso exits Mets’ game vs. Braves with left wrist injury (mlb.com)

Nationals Outright Andres Machado (mlbtraderumors.com)

Where MLB Insiders Put Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida On Rookie Rankings (nesn.com)

Aaron Judge to injured list with toe injury (mlb.com)

Tigers, Nationals Relievers Drawing Trade Interest (mlbtraderumors.com)

MLB scouts pick players to watch in Gainesville Super Regional (247sports.com)

Chicago Cubs’ Dansby Swanson leading all of MLB in key stats (cubbiescrib.com)

Houston Astros Birthdays

Lefty pitcher George Brunet (1935-1991) played for a then-record nine major league teams between 1956 and 1971, finding a temporary home with the Houston Colt .45s in 1962 and 1963. In 22 appearances, including 13 starts, he went 2-7 with a 5.00 ERA against a 3.18 FIP. That indicates deplorable fielding behind him, but it’s hard to discount his 1.695 WHIP playing a part as well. He struck out 47 in 66 ²⁄₃ innings.

There may not be many fans left who remember his best start, in the first game of a twin-bill on August 18, 1962. He went the distance, allowing an unearned run on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven for his first Colts victory. I couldn’t find any real “highlights” from that era, but this video is worth nine minutes of your time...

Tangentially, how many homers do you think Glenn Davis would have for the Astros if he played at MMP? He hit 166 with Houston, but that easily could have been 200.

Right-handed pitcher Dave Mlicki (55) played for five major league clubs over a 10-season career, ending with Houston in 2001 and 2002. In 41 games, including 30 rotation appearances, he went 11-13 with a 5.21 ERA and a 5.33 FIP. He allowed 1.465 WHIP and struck out 106 in 172 ²⁄₃ frames.

On September 19, 2001, Mlicki had one of the best starts of his career, going seven shutout, three-hit innings. He walked two and struck out three. Houston won, 10-3, then won 5-4 the following day if you can believe it. If you have three hours to kill, check out the full game below.