Important context behind Houston Astros front office shake-up
STONE COLD 'STROS
12 October 2023
Earlier this week, the Houston Astros parted ways with Assistant GM Bill Firkus and Farm Director Sarah Goodrum. It's no surprise that GM Dana Brown would want to put his own stamp on the front office, but Firkus leaving the team after 10 years came as a bit of a surprise.
He was one of the faces of the front office when he and Jeff Bagwell went to meet with Jose Abreu in Florida, before signing his contract with the club.
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They spoke in the Cuban Abreu’s native Spanish and Bagwell’s English. Astros bench coach Joe Espada and former assistant GM Bill Firkus were also in attendance. @OurEsquina #Ready2Reign https://t.co/D3ngw6uPZ9
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) October 11, 2023
He's also one of the remaining execs from the Jeff Luhnow glory days, that helped build the dynasty we're currently watching.
Be sure to watch the video above as we examine how these moves could impact the team moving forward, and much more!
Nolan Arenado homered and Brendan Donovan went 4 for 4, helping Sonny Gray and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 8-3 on Monday night.
Arenado also doubled twice and scored two runs in the opener of a three-game series. Donovan extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
Gray (3-0) pitched seven scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, struck out four and walked one.
The Cardinals have won Gray's last eight home starts dating to last season.
Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (1-2) was tagged for seven runs — six earned — in four-plus innings. Five of the 10 hits he allowed were doubles.
Arenado hit a solo drive off Luis Contreras in the eighth. It was his second homer of the season.
The Cardinals broke it open with three runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth.
Pedro Pagés hit a two-run double to make it 3-0 in the fourth. Nolan Gorman's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 7-0 in the fifth.
Donovan scored twice and drove in a run. He is batting an NL-high .391.
Houston's Jeremy Peña hit a three-run homer off Roddery Muñoz with two outs in the ninth.
Key moment
Arenado drove in the first run in the fifth. He fouled off four straight offerings in a 10-pitch at-bat before ripping an RBI double to left.
Key stat
Gray set the tone when he retired Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes and Yordan Alvarez in order in the first inning. The Astros’ only hit off Gray through five was catcher Yainer Diaz’s infield single in the second.
Up next
Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (1-1, 2.00 ERA) starts on Tuesday night. Right-hander Erick Fedde (1-1, 4.50 ERA) makes his fourth start for the Cardinals.
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