Grossman looking to keep hot bat going

ARLINGTON -- Astros manager Bo Porter joked Tuesday that outfielder Robbie Grossman should wear his Triple-A Oklahoma City uniform under his Astros uniform in an effort to try to keep the hot bat going that he had in the Minor Leagues.

Grossman was called up Tuesday when Alex Presley was placed on the disabled list for his third stint with the club this year and was starting in right field. He had been on a tear at Triple-A, hitting .474 (18-for-38) with a .565 on-base percentage in 10 games since being optioned on June 24.

For the season, he's hitting .337 with four homers, 15 RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage with Oklahoma City.

"I'm excited to be here and to help this team win some games," he said.

Grossman credited a 20-minute conversation he had with RedHawks hitting coach Leon Roberts in his office on the day he got sent down with helping him simplify things and get back to the basics.

"Keep it simple," Grossman said. "He played a long time and I think his track record speaks for itself. He just helped me like that and broke it down real simple and laid it out how I need to do."

Grossman, who started in left field on Opening Day for the Astros, is hitting .158 with a .273 on-base percentage for Houston this season.