Astros Crawfish Boil: July 24, 2023

Welcome to the Monday Boil!

Houston Astros News

Mauricio Dubón saves Astros again in late win over Oakland (lmtonline.com)

Houston Astros’ Sara Goodrum excited about talent in farm system (caller.com)

2023 MLB power rankings: Giants, Brewers and Astros soar as Mets, Yankees drop (sportsnaut.com)

Houston Astros’ Hunter Brown shows how he can be more efficient (houstonchronicle.com)

Houston Astros Go 6-2 on Road Trip, Mauricio Dubón Struggling Offensively, Hunter Brown Impresses (bvmsports.com)

AL West News

Twins try to keep home win streak alive, host the Mariners (apnews.com)

Which Seattle Mariners players are in the Hall of Fame? MLB Immaculate Grid answers July 24 (sportskeeda.com)

Mariners use 5-run inning to rally past Blue Jays for wild 9-8 victory (kboi.com)

Rangers Get Huge Comeback Win to Avoid Sweep (Dalsportsnation.com)

Martín Pérez bounces back after allowing grand slam (mlb.com)

Battle for AL West continues as Astros, Rangers clash (deadspin.com)

MLB roundup: Shohei Ohtani hits 36th homer as Angels beat Pirates (reuters.com)

Angels’ Mickey Moniak finding his baseball groove after years of struggles (latimes.com)

Gene Collier: When Shohei Ohtani spins his wheel of fortune, how astronomical can it get? post-gazette.com)

Checking in on the A’s/Marlins Trade of JJ Bleday for A.J. Puk (si.com)

Memphis native, A’s All-Star Rooker discusses breakout season in Action News 5 exclusive (actionnews5.com)

Kotsay rues A’s missed opportunities with ‘every chance’ to control game (nbcsportsbayarea.com)

MLB News

Rolen, McGriff enshrined in Hall of Fame in sun-splashed ceremony (mlb.com)

What each team should do at the Deadline (mlb.com

‘It felt like a playoff game’: O’s prove mettle in series win (mlb.com)

Dodgers could reunite with this hitter via trade (mlb.com)

Harper impresses on defense, plates go-ahead run in 10-inning victory (mlb.com)

5 series to keep your eye on as postseason races heat up (mlb.com)

How Taylor Swift helped Rizzo end 45-game homerless drought (mlb.com)

Houston Astros Birthdays

I failed to include the Astros’ birthdays in the Friday Boil, so I have a little catching up to do here.

Friday

RHP Mark Lemongello (68) started 64 games for the Astros between 1976 and 1978. He pitched to a 3.65 ERA, a 4.02 FIP, and 1.304 WHIP. In a sign of the times, he only struck out 3.4 batters per nine innings.

Denis Menke (1940-2020) played infield for three teams over 13 major league seasons. He played with Houston from 1968 through 1971 and again in 1974, making two All-Star appearances (at shortstop) over that time. In 634 contests, he slashed .266/.355/.373 and hit 30 homers with 282 RBI.

Catcher John Bateman (1940-1996) backstopped for Houston from 1963 through 1968 before ending his career with the Montreal Expos and the Philadelphia Phillies. In 565 games for the Colt .45s / Astros, he slashed out a .228/.274/.353 with 45 jacks and 212 RBI, and caught 33.1 percent of runners trying to swipe a base.

Saturday

CF Jose Siri (28) is currently patrolling center field for the Tampa Bay Rays. He played 69 games for Houston in 2021 and 2022, where he slashed .210/.265/.381 and hit seven homers with 19 RBI while providing above-average CF defense.

Utility player Cliff Johnson (76) appeared in 376 games for the Astros from 1972 through 1977. He put together a .256/.370/.471 slash with 52 round-trippers and 172 RBI.

Sunday

None

Today

Middle infielder Jason Smith (46) played for eight major league teams over a nine-season career, finishing up with Houston in 2009. In 21 games, he was 0-for-25 with one RBI and one run scored.