Alarming trend taking form within the Rockets

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After James Harden finished second in the MVP race, the Rockets took to Twitter to respectfully disagree with the decision to name Giannis Antetokounmpo as this year's winner.

The Rockets are showing a pattern of behavior when it comes to disagreeing with decisions and rulings from the NBA and the media. Let's not forget the report they put together about the officiating in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in 2018.

ESPN 97.5's Joel Blank shares his thoughts on the Rockets pattern of poor sportsmanship and shares how they should handle these situations going forward.

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The Astros beat the Reds, 3-0. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.

Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.

Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.

Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.

Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.

Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.

Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.

Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.

Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.

Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.

Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.

Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.

Key moment

Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.

Key stat

It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.

Up next

Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.

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