Singleton ready to play after shedding debut nerves

HOUSTON -- Before his second Major League game, Astros rookie Jon Singleton received a present from manager Bo Porter.

Porter handed the lineup card from Tuesday's game to Singleton, who grabbed hold of it with two hands. Singleton looked up and down at the sheet, which featured Singleton as the No. 6 hitter in Houston's lineup. Then he carefully put the card away in his locker.

Singleton hit fifth on Wednesday, but he batted sixth for his Major League debut. His eighth-inning home run to right-center field was his first hit in the Astros' 7-2 win over the Angels.

After the game, Singleton got to spend some time with his parents, Rocky and Sherry, who were in town from Southern California.

"It definitely set in once the game was over and my nerves kind of came back down," Singleton said. "It definitely settled in. It was a lot. It's monumental. It's a big day in my life."

After Tuesday's game, Singleton said calling him nervous would be an understatement. On Wednesday, though, Singleton went to lunch with his family before coming to Minute Maid Park ready to play in game No. 2.

"I'm ready to play now," Singleton said.