How locker room distractions could be playing a factor in Astros performance

PRESSURE COOKER

The Houston Astros are coming off a big win over the Orioles and hopefully things are getting back on track as the club makes their final push for the playoffs with only nine games left.

While we're all excited about the latest walk-off win, we can't ignore the fact that the team has dropped three straight series. Two of which were against the two worst teams in baseball (the Royals and A's).

We've all heard the reports about Chas McCormick's playing time, the batter's eye in center field causing the Astros to struggle, and three team meetings over the past month.

With that in mind, are these distractions a factor in how the team is performing on the field?

Be sure to watch the video as we break it all down.

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The Giants beat the Astros, 7-2. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

Wilmer Flores hit his third homer of the season and drove in four runs to lead the San Francisco Giants over the Houston Astros 7-2 on Monday night.

Giants starter Jordan Hicks (1-0), who grew up in suburban Houston, allowed only a first-inning single and struck out six in six innings.

There were two on with two outs in the sixth when Flores sent a slider from Luis Contreras into the left-field seats to make it 5-0. The homer came after Flores hit an RBI single in the second to give San Francisco an early lead.

The Astros had managed just one hit and had a runner on second when Jose Altuve singled off Spencer Bivens with two outs in the eighth. Isaac Paredes then smacked a double off the wall in left field to score two runs and cut it to 5-2. Erik Miller took over and struck out Yordan Alvarez to end the inning.

Ronel Blanco (0-1), who threw a no-hitter in his season debut last year, allowed three hits and three runs with three walks in five-plus innings.

LaMonte Wade Jr. had a sacrifice fly in the fifth that made it 2-0.

Christian Walker singled with two outs in the first before Hicks retired the next 14 batters, fanning five straight. Altuve walked with one out in the sixth, but Hicks set down the next two batters to end the inning and his night.

Matt Chapman drove in two runs with a single in the ninth that made it 7-2.

Key moment

The home run by Flores that padded the lead in the sixth.

Key stat

San Francisco’s Bob Melvin managed his 200th career game against the Astros, improving to 99-101 with the victory.

Up next

RHP Hayden Wesneski makes his Houston debut against RHP Logan Webb when the series continues Tuesday night. Wesneski joined the Astros this offseason from the Chicago Cubs as part of the trade for outfielder Kyle Tucker.

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