Justin Maxwell

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH Astros center fielder Brandon Barnes made the best defensive play of the game Sunday, nailing Travis Snider at the plate in the sixth inning. Barnes saved the club's 7-5 victory...

MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH One start after criticizing his club's increased emphasis on defensive shifts, Astros No. 2 starter Lucas Harrell happily passed out praise Sunday. Harrell primarily cited the work of pitching coach...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH It's been more than seven months since an Astros pitcher swung a bat in a meaningful game. That changed on Friday night when the first-year American League club played a National...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH The Astros are expected to name Reid Ryan as president to replace George Postolos, who unexpectedly resigned Monday. The official announcement is expected to be made Friday. A 2 p.m....

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH Jake Elmore woke up Tuesday planning to play for Triple-A Oklahoma City in an 11:05 a.m. game against Salt Lake City. A phone call from RedHawks manager Tony DeFrancesco changed that....

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH The Astros will be without their smallest -- and arguably best -- player for a few days. Second baseman Jose Altuve was placed on the bereavement list Tuesday night before a 6-2 loss at...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH For a man who quotes himself in his locker room and spent his team's first road game this season doing pregame pushups along the dirt warning track at Seattle's Safeco Field, learning...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH Chris Carter continues to be all-or-nothing for the Astros. The left fielder/first baseman/designated hitter went 1-for-3 Sunday during a 12-7 loss to the Rangers and is hitting just...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH Philip Humber hasn't been himself during the past few days. The former Rice standout has rarely spoken, has hardly been audible when he has, and has drawn deeper within himself. Manager...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH If the Astros' Nos. 1 and 2 hitters continue to get on base, 5-foot-5, 175-pound second baseman Jose Altuve will continue to serve as the team's No. 3 hitter. Albert Pujols (480...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH Tuesday marked the start of Jimmy Paredes' third shot in the majors. The 24-year-old hit .256 with two home runs, 21 RBIs and a .639 on-base plus slugging percentage during 70...

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH Rick Ankiel was gone and Carlos Pena was left alone. On the road, the veteran duo often sat, dressed, prepared, talked and laughed side by side inside the Astros' cramped clubhouse. At...