Sports Briefs: DeMar DeRozan praises James Harden’s run with Rockets

Yordan Alvarez comes up big in Astros win

Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez recorded three home runs, four hits, and four RBI in four at-bats during a 10-0 win over the Phillies.

Xavier Hutchinson makes case in final preseason game

Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught four passes for a team-high 34 yards, including an 18-yard reception during the final preseason game against the Rams.

DeMar DeRozan praises James Harden’s run with Rockets

Apparently, there was no bigger fan of James Harden’s run with the Rockets than DeMar DeRozan, who had a close-up view being in the same division as Harden right down the road in San Antonio and also while he was in Toronto. “The run James had was fing like that ain’t even a video game,” DeRozan said onClub 520 Podcast

. “That was some Space Jam st… That run he had, that was fing incredible. The st looked like it was with no effort… That run James had was the most incredible s**t I know I’ve ever seen.”

Texans make surprising cuts to get to 53-man roster

The NFL cut day came with several surprises for some of the Texans’ veterans. Wide receiver Noah Brown, 2023 fullback Andrew Beck, and veteran cornerback Desmond King were among the casualties. The following day, the Texans put together a 16-player practice squad which included defensive end Zeke Turner, running back J.J. Taylor, offensive tackle Cameron Erving, fullback Troy Hairston, wide receiver Johnny Johnson III, and linebacker Max Tooley.

Simone Biles took mound for Astros again

To celebrate Houstonian Simone Biles’s three gold medals and one silver during the recent Paris Olympics, the Astros honored her accomplishment by having the most decorated gymnast threw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Minute Maid Park before the team’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Remember, Biles was bestowed with the First Pitch honor during Game 2 of the World Series in 2019.