Matt Kawahara

NEW YORK — Jeremy Peña strode to the plate and staged an ambush. Nolan McLean started Saturday's game at Citi Field with a four-seam fastball.

The homers have slowed, but Yordan Alvarez has kept finding various ways to help the Astros' offense with the team in a tight playoff race.

NEW YORK - At this point in a prolific season, Yordan Alvarez is contending with the standard he has set. For instance: Alvarez owns a .919 OPS in August, which is almost over.

NEW YORK — Right-hander Mike Burrows is “definitely in the conversation” to rejoin the Houston Astros when major-league rosters expand to 28 players Tuesday, manager Joe Espada said.

NEW YORK — With question marks in their starting rotation, the Houston Astros could deploy openers on occasion over the season's final month, manager Joe Espada said Sunday.

Sunday's pinch-hit homer from LaMonte Wade Jr. put the Astros ahead to stay in the late innings as they capped a successful week in New York that started on a tumultuous note.

The pinch-hit homer from LaMonte Wade Jr. put the Astros ahead to stay in the late innings as they capped a successful week in New York that started on a tumultuous note.

Two homers and a single put Ethan Pecko in trouble immediately Sunday. He responded by battling back to give the Astros a chance to end their road trip on a winning note.

Ronel Blanco won't have to wait long to get on the mound, as he's set to start Tuesday night after being called up from Sugar Land.

Mike Burrows was a candidate to rejoin the Astros as rosters expanded Tuesday, but that will be delayed after a shoulder issue arose.