Keuchel, Marisnick soar with Breitling Jet Team

HOUSTON -- Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel and outfielder Jake Marisnick were riding high on Friday afternoon when they spent 45 minutes in the air racing at breakneck speeds with the Breitling Jet Team as it prepared for its performance this weekend in the Wings Over Houston airshow.

The jet team, supported by Swiss watch brand Breitling, is based in Dijon, France. This year marks its first time performing in the U.S. Made up of seven L-39 C Albatros jets that can reach speeds of up to 565 mph, the Breitling Jet Team is the world's largest professional civilian flight team performing in jets.

"Amazing," Keuchel told the Houston Chronicle. "It was definitely exhilarating, and something that I wanted to do for a long time. So glad to be a part of it."

Keuchel and Marisnick were paired with a pilot as part of a formation that took off from Ellington Field. The jets, flying at less than 400 mph, took them on loops and other twists and turns, testing the inner strength of both players.

"Kind of a once in a lifetime experience," Marisnick told the Chronicle. "I mean, how often do you get to up and do that? So, to go up and see how they kind of maneuver was awesome."