Charles Barkley tells Barry Laminack (left) and Joel Blank (right) that he probably played two years too long. Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for American Express
Charles Barkley joins Joel Blank and Barry Laminack on The Usual Suspects on ESPN 97.5 and talks about the Rockets’ performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Charles also goes on to say the Rockets have more depth and overall talent than the Warriors. He is very impressed with the offensive explosion the Rockets got out of their role players, and he believes Houston has played most of the year like they did in Game 2. He also gives James Harden some high praise when he mentions his name with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Later, Joel gets Charles to admit that his dogs take private flights a couple times of year, so they don’t have to deal with the commercial “riff-raff.” And finally, Chuck talks about some of his regrets and how he should have retired a couple years sooner because his body was breaking down. He wishes the fans of Houston would have experienced more of his prime seasons. Make sure you check out the full fantastic interview here.
You can hear Joel Blank and Barry Laminack on The Usual Suspects weekdays from 1-4pm on ESPN 97.5 radio. You can listen live or on demand with the ESPN 97.5 radio app.
Taylor Walls hit a game-ending sacrifice fly and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Houston Astros 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The Rays trailed 2-0 until Jonathan Aranda's two-run single in the eighth inning tied the score.
Christian Morel then led off the ninth with a walk against Kaleb Ort (1-1) and advanced to third on pinch-hitter Brandon Lowe's double to left-center. After Josh Lowe popped out, Walls hit a fly ball to drive in Morel to give the Rays their 12th win in 30 games at Steinbrenner Field, their temporary home this season.
Manuel Rodriguez (1-2) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win.
Astros left-hander Brandon Walter, making his first major league start, pitched five strong innings in his Houston debut.
Jake keeps raking!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/pEZCtLHHjQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Jake Meyers hit an RBI double in the second for the Astros, and Isaac Paredes had a solo homer in the third against his former team to make it 2-0.
Paredes with a solo shot!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/POW8Pj6wgZ
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Rays starter Zach Littell allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out six.
Key moment
With the Rays trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth, with one out and runners on first and second, Kameron Misner and Jose Caballero pulled off a double steal to set up Aranda's tying single to right field.
Key stat
Starting for the first time after making nine relief appearances for Bostohn in 2023, Walter gave up three hits and struck out five.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (6–2, 1.43 ERA) goes against Rays RHP Taj Bradley (3–3, 4.80 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday.
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