Blame game: Why the Rockets defense is a mess
POINT BLANK PRESENTED BY FITZ ROOFING
06 November 2019
POINT BLANK PRESENTED BY FITZ ROOFING
The season is just getting started for the Rockets, but the theme of not being able to defend is starting to become quite evident.
It's easy to just blame the players for their lack of performance on defense, but the coaches and front office have to be held accountable too.
ESPN 97.5's Joel Blank weighs in on who deserves the most blame for the team's defensive woes. Point Blank is presented by Fitz Roofing.
Jeremy Peña had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, Colton Gordon got his first major league win and the Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 on Friday night.
Christian Walker drove in a pair of runs in the fifth inning and Brendan Rodgers added a solo shot in the sixth as the Astros improved to 3-1 on their six-game road trip.
Progressive overload.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/csk8tFHxKu
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 7, 2025
Gordon (1-1), who was making his fifth start, allowed one run on seven hits and struck out five. The left-hander was an eighth-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft.
Josh Hader recorded his 17th save, tied for second in the American League.
David Fry homered for the Guardians, who have dropped three of four. Carlos Santana had his 14-game hitting streak snapped.
It is the second hitting streak this season of at least 10 games for Peña. The shortstop is batting .449 (22 of 49) with three home runs and six RBIs during his current run.
On the board! pic.twitter.com/fbUnQOWE2Y
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 7, 2025
Houston took the lead with three runs in the fifth off Cleveland starter Logan Allen (3-4). Peña scored from second on a deep infield single by Jose Altuve and Walker drove in a pair with a base hit to right.
Making things happen!
Astros lead 3-0 pic.twitter.com/mybMfve9V4
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 7, 2025
Cleveland had a chance to do some damage in the first inning, but Angel Martínez and José Ramírez were thrown out at second by Houston left fielder Mauricio Dubón when they tried to extend base hits into doubles.
Need a reason to #VoteDubi?#AllStrosGame⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/8NNJmb1qHU
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 6, 2025
Dubón joined Toronto's Addison Barger as outfielders with a pair of assists in one inning this season.
"Wanna see me do it again?" -Dubi#VoteDubi ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHRkGz pic.twitter.com/5V3vBQPqTi
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 6, 2025
Houston's struggles with the bases loaded continues. The Astros were 0 for 2 Friday night and are last in the majors with a .146 batting average.
Houston RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.83 ERA) is tied for the AL lead in wins. Cleveland will go with RHP Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.79 ERA).