J.R Towles News

In the absence of any big moves, the Rays have two glaring needs to address in the off-season, the catcher position andthe bullpen.

Growing up in the blue-collar suburbs east of the Houston, Astros relief pitcher Chris Sampson dreamed of being able to take batting practice in an indoor facility such as the one he stood in on Monday afternoon.

Yes, it's November, but why not take an early look at what the Astros' roster may look like next season.

Houston Astros The Astros curiously selected a slew of high school prospects with their top picks in 2009, signaling an end to their win-now ways.

BCA baseball coach Kade Johnson, a former Milwaukee Brewer, is teaming up with other professional baseball players to provide the community with a top of the line baseball and softball complex.

If you're a veteran catcher, have your agent give the Houston Astros a phone call.

Acquiring a new catcher is probably the top priority this off-season. Gregg Zaun may not return, Dioner Navarro turned back into a pumpkin, and the other 40-man options are reserves at best.

J.R. Towles, C, Astros: Went 2-for-4 including 2 homers, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Cory Sullivan, right, crosses home plate in front of Houston Astros' catcher J.R. Towles, scoring the Mets' fourth run on a two-run single by Fernando Tatis in the fifth inning.

After briefly making it interesting, the Astros could only watch as the party got under way in the fourth inning Wednesday night for the rally towel-waving masses ready to celebrate the National League East title at Citizens Bank Park.

Originally published September 30, 2009 at 5:47 p.m., updated September 30, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. PHILADELPHIA a ' Houston's J.R. Towles has been awarded a home run after umpires checked a video replay following his second-inning drive off Philadelphia's Pedro Martinez.

Former Crosby Cougar J.R. Towles is back in a Houston Astros uniform, at least for now.

Pinch-hitter Brett Carroll capped a two-run rally against closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning with an RBI single, giving the Florida Marlins a 7-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

According to the Astros, Arias was expected to be up and walking on Wednesday night.

A change in the man filling out the lineup card did not lead to much of a change in the lineup itself.

The Astros sent out their standard lineup Sunday, making it the first time since Tuesday that September call-ups J.R. Towles, Chris Johnson and Tommy Manzella all began the game on the bench.

Cecil Cooper understands that his job status is included in Astros owner Drayton McLane's plan to evaluate the organization this offseason.

Well, that and the hitters not hitting with MOB and Coop pulling his usual assinine leftylefty thingy and it backfiring as usual.

Astros rookie Tommy Manzella's eyes opened wide when he saw his name written into the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Reds.

Houston Bottom 7th - Jesse Chavez enters the game for the Pirates with the bases loaded and one out.