Astros’ Bennett Sousa Blasts Home Fans for Booing Team in Game 1 Against White Sox

Bennett Sousa and the Houston Astros suffered a 6-3 loss against the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series.

Astros’ Bennett Sousa Blasts Home Fans for Booing Team in Game 1 Against White Sox

Bennett Sousa (Image via X/@SleeperAstros)

The Houston Astros find themselves on the brink of elimination following a 6-3 loss in Game 1 against the Chicago White Sox. After the game, pitcher Bennett Sousa blasted the home fans at Daikin Park for booing the team.

The Astros have not had the best of seasons this year. The team had several ups and downs throughout the campaign and needed results to go their way on the final day of the season to go through to the playoffs.

While the results did go in their favor, they ended up scripting an unwanted MLB record. With the loss of the Texas Rangers and their 9-0 win over the Athletics, the Astros won the AL West with an 81-81 record.

This is the worst record of any team to make it to the playoffs. Their 8th division title in the last 10 years ensured home-field advantage in the Wild Card Series.

There were, however, some empty seats in the upper decks of Daikin Park. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the official attendance was announced at 34,011, 7,157 under capacity.

Frustration of the home fans boiled over when the plan to have a bullpen game did not work out. Sousa came into the 7th inning when the White Sox were 5-2 up.

He gave up back-to-back singles to Munetaka Murakami and Randal Grichuk. After a sacrifice bunt, he threw a wild pitch, which allowed Murakami to score from third and make it a 6-2 game.

There were several boos from the home fans as the Astros lost another playoff game at home. This was their 8th straight playoff loss at home, dating back to Game 1 of the 2023 American League Division Series.

The booing from the fans was something that did not sit well with Sousa. In the post-game conference, he called out the supporters and admitted to being upset with this.

I’m not going to lie to you, I was pretty p***** off in the dugout when I came in, about the boos. This team has laid a lot on the line to be in this position to give the fans a playoff game, a playoff series. We want their support.

Bennett Sousa said as per Chandler Rome

The relief pitcher also claimed that some of the supporters were “spoiled” with the team’s American League Championship Series (ALCS) and World Series runs. From 2017 to 2023, the Astros appeared in 7 straight ALCS and 4 World Series, winning 2 titles in 2017 and 2022.

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Christian Walker admits being frustrated with boos from Astros fans in Game 1

The Houston Astros did not have their best game on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox. Their poor showing sparked some boos from the home fans. First baseman Christian Walker resonated with the comments of Bennett Sousa and admitted to being frustrated with the reception from the crowd.

Christian Walker
Christian Walker (Image via X/@MLBONFOX)

Offensively, the Astros had just 6 hits in the entire game. Walker grounded out in his first two at-bats and was walked in his next two. After the game, he questioned what the team would achieve following the boos from the fans.

It’s extremely frustrating as a home player. We’re here, playing at home; we need cheers. We need energy. We don’t need boos. What purpose does that serve in that moment? Whatever fans are feeling, we’re feeling it tenfold.

Christian Walker said as per Chandler Rome

The frustration surrounding the game extended beyond the players, as fans following every inning, including those interested in an MLB same game parlay, watched the Astros struggle to build momentum at home.

The fans did cheer for the team in some big plays. There was a huge roar when rookie pitcher Miguel Ullola stranded the bases. When Jose Altuve hustled to score in the 8th inning, there were some cheers.

The bottom line is, the fans were displeased with some sloppy play from the team. The Astros will need to come up with a much better performance than this if they are to keep their season alive and force Game 3.

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