Astros' thoughts with Houston during hurricane

August 27th, 2017

ANAHEIM -- The Astros had a series finale to play Sunday against the Angels, but their thoughts were understandably focused back home in Houston as historical flooding from Hurricane Harvey continued to devastate the city.
The Astros flew to Dallas following their 7-5 win over the Angels, and on Monday, their scheduled three-game series against the Rangers, which was to begin on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park, was moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
"Talking about game situations is so hollow with people down the street from Minute Maid losing their cars, losing their lives -- their homes are in jeopardy," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said before the series-clinching win. "There is an emptiness in the thought we would play in Houston.
Justice: Baseball secondary as Harvey hits Texas
"Personally, I don't like it. But I understand that we are sometimes an escape from the rain, an escape from the tragedy, an escape from what's going on around us. The safety of everyone is No. 1."

The National Weather Service reported there were at least five deaths from the flooding in Houston as of Sunday morning. Harvey, which is now categorized as a tropical storm, is expected to drop potentially 40-50 inches of rain between Sunday and Thursday.
provided the decisive knock in Sunday's win with a three-run triple in the eighth, his first triple since April 18, 2015. But his tone after the game didn't reflect that of a player who provided a game-winning hit.

"It's tough. I mean, it really is tough," McCann said about viewing scenes of the flooding. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in the city of Houston. But this is not good -- it's devastating."
Charlie Morton got the start for the Astros and -- like most players on the team -- his mind drifted away from the game at times.
"Personally, I have three kids at home and a wife [back in Houston]," Morton said. "You're worried about your family. It's just different."
Hinch said around half of the team's families made the trip to Anaheim. He credited the players for staying engaged as best as they could despite the worrisome situation.
"I'm not sure that most of them didn't go inside to check their phones, check their families," Hinch said. "We've got families in closets braving tornadoes. We've got a lot of heavy hearts."
attempted to calm the mood in the somber clubhouse prior to the game by blasting Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds." Springer said his Houston-area home looked to be in jeopardy in the coming hours Sunday based on the storm's path.
"We're human beings, too," Springer said. "We have houses and families and belongings there, too. We're just as concerned as a lot of people are. We're fortunate enough to not be in the area, but it's still a very pale time for us all. It's scary."
The seriousness surrounding the situation was realized in real time before the game when right-hander was forced to step away from an interview after receiving a call from his wife.
"You're talking about people's families in here sending them pictures of water getting up to their front door, and people are trying to figure out ways to stay safe and get out of that situation," McCullers said. "Worrying about playing a baseball game really isn't where our focus is. Of course it's our job, and we have to play today, but our first priorities are making sure our families are safe."