Astros insider reveals inner rift between Dusty Baker, fan-favorite center fielder
NOT A FAN?
22 June 2023
The Houston Astros had a big offensive output against the Mets on Wednesday, and Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz were a big reason for that with some clutch home runs.
But playing time for both players has been a concern for many this season. Diaz and McCormick lead the team in OPS currently with Yordan Alvarez out of commission with an oblique strain.
So why haven't they been playing on a regular basis? In McCormick's case, it looks like it's because Dusty Baker allegedly isn't a big Chas fan.
This makes no sense to me from Baker, and I'm glad Chandler brought this to light. What is Dusty doing??? https://t.co/Br6mKpqi1v
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) June 22, 2023
Be sure to watch the video above as we make sense out of Chandler Rome's belief that there's some friction between McCormick and Dusty.
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Wyatt Langford homered with a career-high tying four hits and Adolis García added a solo shot to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.
The Rangers jumped on Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4) early. There were two outs with the bases loaded in the first when Evan Carter’s single to right field knocked in a pair to put the Rangers up 2-0.
The AL West-leading Astros cut the deficit to 2-1 when Cam Smith scored on a groundout in the bottom of the inning.
García homered for a second straight game with one out in the third that made it 3-1. Carter walked with two outs before a single from Jake Burger. Jonah Heim’s double to right field scored them both to extend the lead to 5-1.
McCullers allowed six hits and five runs in three innings as Houston’s losing streak reached a season-high four games.
Langford’s blast came with two outs in the seventh to push the lead to 7-3.
Jack Leiter (5-6) yielded five hits and three runs while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.
Christian Walker singled to open Houston’s fourth before Victor Caratini’s home run to right field got the Astros within 5-3.Burger was replaced in the middle of the sixth inning with discomfort in his left quad.
Houston’s top prospect, second baseman Brice Matthews, went 0 for 4 with with three strikeouts in his major league debut.
Key moment
Heim’s two RBI double in the third that pushed the lead to four.
Key stat
The Rangers forced McCullers to throw 36 pitches in the first inning.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) opposes RHP Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29) when the series continues Saturday.
