Death threats to Lance McCullers Jr. and his family
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada revealed that Lance McCullers Jr. and his family were the target of death threats via social media. This occurred after the right-handed pitcher’s performance in the game against the Cincinnati Reds, where he allowed seven runs in the first inning.
A team spokesperson reported that the Astros notified both the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball security about the threats.
I understand that people are very passionate and love the Astros and love the sport, but threatening to find my children and murder them is a bit difficult to handle.
Lance McCullers Jr.
McCullers, who was in his second start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, after overcoming problems in his right arm, struggled with his control from the start of the game.
He walked leadoff batter TJ Friedl before hitting Matt McLain. Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer to make it 3-0.
McCullers walked two more batters before Tyler Stephenson hit a run-scoring single. Will Benson followed with a double that drove in another run, leading to McCullers’ exit.
He was replaced by Logan VanWey, but the Reds continued to score, sending 15 batters to the plate before Santiago Espinal finally struck out to end the inning.
Cincinnati scored the most runs in the first inning since August 1989, when they scored 14, also against the Astros.
The Reds won Saturday’s game by 13-9, while Houston suffered its fourth loss in the last six games.
