AVALANCHE-O’REILLY
Sakic says he still wants to sign O’Reilly
DENVER (AP) – Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic says it’s still his desire to sign Ryan O’Reilly to a long-term contract before the start of next season. In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Sakic said he’s not out to trade his star center. He praised O’Reilly, saying: “I like Ryan a lot. He is a very valuable player. He’s part of our core and yeah, my first priority would be to sign him. Obviously, we’ll see where it all goes.” Sakic said he doesn’t want to enter next season without a deal in place with O’Reilly, who would become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He stressed: “I don’t think the team needs it. I don’t think he needs it. That’s why it’s important for us that we have something done.”
ROCKIES LOSE AGAIN
DENVER (AP) – Preston Tucker homered and drove in three runs, pinch-hitter Domingo Santana got his first major league home run and the Houston Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 8-4 Thursday for their fifth straight win. Carlos Correa stole three bases, and George Springer extended his hitting streak to 11 games as the Astros swept the four-game, home-and-home series with the reeling Rockies. The Astros hit six homers in two games at Coors Field, raising their AL-leading total to 97. Collin McHugh (7-3) treated himself to an early birthday present by getting the win despite allowing three runs four hits and a season-high five walks in six innings. McHugh, who turns 28 on Friday, settled down after surrendering a three-run homer to Carlos Gonzalez in the first. David Hale (2-2) gave up a season-high five runs in five innings and struck out nine. Rockies pitchers struck out 17 times, a Colorado record for a nine-inning game.
