Astros' Springer sets franchise rookie record with 15 home runs before All-Star break

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer's impressive campaign continued Thursday when the 24-year-old set a franchise rookie record with his 15th home run before the All-Star break.

Springer, who entered Thursday's contest against the Atlanta Braves hitting just .160 over his previous seven games, blasted a 1-2 fastball from reliever Juan Jaime over the wall in left center to give the Astros a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Springer's 15 homers trail only Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu for the major-league lead among rookies, though he has appeared in five fewer games this season than the 27-year-old Cuban.