Brandon Laird News

The Astros offense seems to be going in cycles this season. A big game on Opening night was followed by a near hitless evening that started a downward trend that lasted until the offense exploded in Seattle.

Lucas Harrell spun 6 1/3 strong innings and batterymate Carlos Corporan went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI, with the duo leading Houston to a 9-1 shellacking of the New York Yankees that halted the Astros' nine-game road losing streak.

Andy Pettitte looks on in the first inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.

That distinct sound, the crack that emanates from the barrel of a bat when it connects with a baseball, echoed through half-empty Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

When the Astros arrived at Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon, they toured baseball's oldest stadium, marveling at the 101-year-old venue that blends history with modernity better than any facility in pro sports.

David Ortiz had two hits and three RBIs to extend his torrid start after a long layoff, and Felix Doubront overcame a wild first inning to pitch into the seventh as the Boston Red Sox beat the struggling Astros 8-4 on Saturday night.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Alex Cobb scattered three hits over 8 1-3 innings, Ben Zobrist drove in two runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 3-0 on Wednesday.

Last week we looked at third base situations around the league. This week, let's cast a gimlet eye on the other side of the diamond - first base.