DEMECO ON BLAST
Why Stephen A. Smith torched Texans HC DeMeco Ryans over controversial comments
Dec 4, 2024, 11:50 am
Stephen A. Smith is not having it. Composite Getty Image.
This week on First Take, Stephen A. Smith and the rest of the panel react to DeMeco Ryans' comments following Azeez Al-Shaair's controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence.
Smith labels Ryans' thoughts on the controversial play and aftermath as “Stupid” because the suspension had yet to be handed down when Ryans spoke on the matter.
Smith also made the case that every player on the field was justified to retaliate against Al-Shaair because of the severity of the hit on Lawrence.
The entire panel agreed that Ryans would want the same response from his players if CJ Stroud took a hit like Lawrence.
Is he right? And how much responsibility should be on the quarterbacks to protect themselves by sliding early?
Be sure to watch the video above and see where you come out on this.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.