Yes, and yes.  Don't know how strong his football commitment is. 

IIRC, it was pretty strong (not so strong 1.1 or 1.2 money couldn't break him away from it, but strong nevertheless).

Springer went 0-for-3 with 2 BB and 3 4 SB.

FIFY... Story LINK

Crap. 4 1/3 innings of no-hit ball ends.

Hadn't realized that neither team had a hit until Corporan's single in T5. 

Alverez's laser HR to LF just stayed fair to make it 1-0 'Roots.

First of four regional workouts today: LINK

The Astros are holding their first of four regional workouts for prospects on Sunday in Los Angeles, with scouting director Mike Elias, national crosschecker David Post and the decision sciences team led by Sig Mejdal looking at about 20 players. The second workout will be held Wednesday in Kissimmee, Fla., at the team's Spring Training complex, the third will be May 26 in Georgia and the final workout will be June 1 at Minute Maid Park. That will also serve as the start of the Astros' pre-Draft meetings, when the front office will begin going over 1,200 players.

Sparks and Ford are better than Ashby and Blum.

Agreed, though it seems to me that Ashby and Blum have gotten better as the season has progressed.

Ther Midwest League has caught up with Velasquez - four bad outings in a row.

He had a good outing this evening.  Line: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0ER, 2BB, 5SO. BOX SCORE

Good win for the kids tonight!

[Middle 10: HOU 2, PIT 2]

Altuve grounds into a DP to end T10.

Middle 10: HOU 2, PIT 2

Going to have to turn over PBP, dinner time...

How shitty is this team? A relief pitcher hitting for himself in a tie game, in the ninth inning. And it makes sense. That's how shitty this team is.

Pitcher [Wright] batted for himself last night as well...

[End 9: HOU 2, PIT 2]

Cisnero gets the Pirates to go 3 up, 3 down in B9.  Now on to free baseball!

End 9: HOU 2, PIT 2

[Middle 9: HOU 2, PIT 2]

Astros leave Cisnero in to bat with none on, 2 outs in T9.

Middle 9: HOU 2, PIT 2

[End 8: HOU 2, PIT 2]

Pirates manage a single, but a couple if sweet strikeouts by Cisnero leave the Pirates off the board in B8.

End 8: HOU 2, PIT 2

I'm watching the Giants and the Rockies. When did Lincecum cut his hair?

Is he still sucking this season, or has he righted the ship a tad?!?

[Middle 8: HOU 2, PIT 2]

Crowe single, Altuve single (3 of 4), Castro groundout, Carter single tie it up 2-2. Pena GIDP ends the threat.

Middle 8: HOU 2, PIT 2

[End 7: HOU 1, PIT 2]

SWEET 3-2 pitch sends Sanchez down looking to end the threat.

End 7: HOU 1, PIT 2

Single and groundout to 1B leaves runners on 2B and 3B with 2 outs and a base open with McCutcheon coming up. Seriously, just walk him...

ETA: which they do after starting off 2-0 to him. Bases now juiced for Gabby Sanchez with 2 outs B7.

B7: 3 batters, 3 pitchers. Golzalez gets a fly-out. Wright, 1 pitch, 1 hit batter. Cisneros now in.

[Middle 7: HOU 1, PIT 2]

Who didn't see that (McCutchen's hit) coming after Dominguez got handcuffed by that pop bunt.

What I *didnt* see was the Astros holding PIT to only 1 that inning... Astros get blanked I the top of the 7th.

Middle 7: HOU 1, PIT 2

Edgar Gonzalez in for Bedard in B7.

[Middle 6: HOU 1, PIT 1]

Dmoinguez grounds into a 5-4-3 DP to end T6.

Middle 6: HOU 1, PIT 1.

[End 5: HOU 1, PIT 1]

Another sweet 4-6 by Altuve (ended up 4-6-3 DP) helps keep the 'Roots off the board in B5. 

End 5: HOU 1, PIT 1

Carter leads up T6 with a ripped single through the hole between 3B and SS, followed by a hard hit fly out to LF (1 out, runner on 1B).  Bedard has been very solid, but with his spot coming up in the order, Jose Cisnero is beginning to warm up.