ST. PETERSBURG -- Very little about the surroundings on Tuesday night suggested that the Astros were the home team in the opener of their three-game set against the Rangers, a 12-2 loss to Texas. From the backdrop of Tropicana Field to their place in the third-base dugout, it felt like any other road trip to Central Florida.
Even the uniforms insinuated their role as that of visitors.
The Astros sported their road grey uniform pants and a dark blue alternative jersey typically reserved for home Sunday games. Why the unorthodox look? Frankly, they had no other choice.
"It's all we had with us," manager A.J. Hinch said.
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The Astros had been on a brief, three-day road trip for a series against the Angels, one which took place during Players Weekend. That meant bringing nothing more than the special jerseys worn over the weekend, plus the alternate tops that are sometimes worn by players and coaches during batting practice or bullpen sessions.
"We literally had three days; I took a carry-on," Hinch said. "We basically flew in pajamas for the red-eye flight we took to Anaheim, had the three games and then we flew back. It was a red-eye flight and we were sort of mocking the red-eye flight, so they don't even have the one extra set of clothes you normally would have had on a flight."
Hinch said that once the Houston airport reopens, the team might have its regular home uniforms shipped to them in St. Petersburg for the remainder of their time playing at Tropicana Field.
The Astros also chose to set up camp in the visiting clubhouse despite their stature as the home team, choosing the familiar -- they love the clubhouse staff and are accustomed to the surroundings from their annual trips to play the Rays -- over the more spacious digs of the home side.