Kristie Rieken, Author at Valley News

Grounds crew members cover the field at Minute Maid Park with a tarp after the roof failed to close and rain moved into the area Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Houston. The Houston Astros are scheduled to host the Tampa Bay Rays in the first baseball game of an AL Division Series on Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Aces high for Houston

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterOctober 3, 2019

HOUSTON — In an era when openers are in vogue and they’re facing the team who started the trend, everything’s coming up aces for the Houston Astros this postseason.Houston will start Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against Tampa…

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn faces big road test at Texas A&M

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterSeptember 20, 2019

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2018, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston. Watson will make his playoff debut on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts in his second year in the NFL. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)

Texans, Colts Have Enjoyed Turnaround Seasons

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterJanuary 4, 2019

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2017, file photo, Texans owner Robert "Bob" McNair walks on the turf before an AFC Wild Card NFL game between the Texans and the Oakland Raiders, in Houston. McNair, billionaire founder and owner of the Texans, has died. He was 81. One of the NFL's most influential owners, McNair had battled both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma in recent years before dying in Houston on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)

Bob McNair, Texans Founder and Owner, Dies

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterNovember 23, 2018

The Boston Red Sox celebrates after winning Game 5 of a baseball American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

On to the Series: Price Proves His Worth as Sox Advance

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterOctober 19, 2018

Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi, left, and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. celebrate their 8-6 win against the Houston Astros in Game 4 of a baseball American League Championship Series on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Benintendi, Red Sox Hold Off Astros 8-6 For 3-1 ALCS Lead

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterOctober 18, 2018

Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., right, watches his grand slam off Houston Astros relief pitcher Roberto Osuna during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball American League Championship Series on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, in Houston.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Bradley, Sox Slam Astros to Take Series Lead

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterOctober 16, 2018

FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2017, file photo, Houston Astros relief pitcher Justin Verlander, left, and third baseman Alex Bregman cheer after Josh Reddick hit an RBI single in the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball team's American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox in Boston. Soon after the Astros won the World Series, Bregman learned that Verlander wasn't simply a late-season rental but was under contract with the team for two more seasons. Bregman's reaction, which was caught on a teammate's Instagram Live account, was one of pure glee as he repeatedly shrieked and hollered with an immovable grin on his face. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Champs Remain Loaded

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterMarch 25, 2018

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2017, file photo, Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and Jose Altuve hold the championship trophy after Game 7 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, in Houston. Altuve was named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Astros’ Altuve Named Top Male Athlete

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterDecember 27, 2017

Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel celebrates his home run past Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, during the second inning of Game 3 of baseball's World Series Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Astros’ Gurriel Banned — in 2018

by Kristie Rieken AP Sports WriterOctober 29, 2017