ARLINGTON, Texas – Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. allowed two unearned runs in four innings against the Texas Rangers on Friday. This came five nights after the right-hander failed to get out of the first inning in a game that he said was followed by online threats.
McCullers, who is in the process of recovering after missing two full seasons due to injuries, allowed seven runs and only managed to get one out in Houston’s loss last Saturday. After the game, he stated that he had received death threats online directed at his children. The Astros reported that the Houston police and Major League Baseball security were alerted about the threats.
The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher made only his third start for the Astros since the 2022 World Series on Friday. He did not get a decision.
McCullers needed 83 pitches to complete his four innings, of which 53 were strikes. He struck out two batters, conceded one walk, and allowed four singles.
The only runs against McCullers came when Jonah Heim hit a two-run single with two outs in the second inning. This occurred three batters after shortstop Jeremy Peña was penalized for an error by failing to catch a pitch from McCullers, who was trying to get the lead runner at second base after fielding a comebacker.
Jake Burger, whose home run was the only run in the Rangers’ 1-0 victory in the first game of the series on Thursday night, then hit a fly out before Heim’s hit in the right field corner.
He’s in a good place mentally. Physically, he’s fine. He just needs to go out there and be confident and throw, be aggressive in the zone and we back him.
Joe Espada, Astros manager
McCullers underwent surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. He was in rehabilitation last June when he suffered a setback during a bullpen session that sidelined him for the rest of the season. This year, he made four starts in the minor leagues before rejoining the Astros’ rotation on May 4.
We all trust that he can do it. He just needs to go out there and do his thing. It’s going to happen.
Joe Espada, Astros manager
McCullers has a 49-33 record and a 3.53 ERA in 133 games (130 starts) for the Astros since his MLB debut with them in 2015.
An All-Star in 2017, McCullers went 10-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 games in 2018 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. In 2021, he went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 28 starts, and then signed a five-year, $85 million contract that extends through 2026.
