Astros manager Joe Espada addressed his team Wednesday, trying to calm emotions after Houston was booed by fans during their Game 1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. The announced attendance was 34,011, far from a sellout, and boos were audible as early as the second inning of the 6-3 defeat.
"I understand both sides," Espada said before Game 2 of the AL Wild Card series. "There's frustration. Our players and the fans have the right to show their emotions. But our players love our fans, we respect our fans, and we need their energy."
Reliever Bennett Sousa told The Athletic that fans are "spoiled" by years of ALCS and World Series appearances. "When this team was in their first playoff series 10 years ago, Minute Maid Park was probably packed. It makes a big difference," he said, adding he was "pretty pissed off" about the boos.
Espada emphasized moving forward, with ace Hunter Brown starting Game 2. Catcher Yainer Diaz said the team will focus on what they can control. "We'll put that on the back burner and get ready to play," Espada said.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing