Grossman hits his way back into leadoff spot

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Astros moved rookie outfielder Robbie Grossman back to the leadoff spot for Sunday's series finale against the Twins, and he did not skip a beat by going 2-for-5 to stretch his hitting streak to seven games.

Grossman, who had been hitting primarily at the bottom of the order in the past week, is batting .480 (12-for-25) during his streak and has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games, during which he is hitting .311.

"I think it more has to do with the way Grossman has been swinging the bat," manager Bo Porter said on moving Grossman to the top before Sunday's game. "Once you go through the lineup once, it's almost like [Jonathan] Villar, Grossman and [Jose] Altuve are hitting 1-2-3."

Grossman spent about a month with the Astros earlier this year and struggled, hitting .198 in 111 at-bats in that span while batting mostly leadoff. Entering Sunday, Grossman was hitting .204 in the leadoff spot and .381 in the ninth spot.

"I think he went back down [to the Minors] and came up with a little bit better idea of what it takes to be successful here, and we're seeing the results of a guy playing with confidence," Porter said.

"Your first stint when you come up, you're trying to figure out what to expect, how the league is going to pitch you, how are they going to try to get you out. He had a chance to step back and think about it and make adjustments, and he's made some really good adjustments, and that's why he's having the success he's having."