Astros' Lance McCullers Jr., family get death threats amid loss - ESPN

Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. said he and his family were the subjects of death threats made on social media after he allowed seven runs as part of a 10-run first inning for the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.

A team spokesperson said the Astros notified the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball security about the threats.

«I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with,» McCullers said. «So just as a father I think there have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me mostly, and I think actually one or two people from other issues around baseball actually had to go to jail for things like that. But I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public, they're gonna stab my kids to death, things like that, it's tough to hear as a dad.»

McCullers and his wife Kara have two young daughters.

McCullers (0-1) was making just his second start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series after battling a series of right arm issues. An All-Star in 2018, he's spent all eight of his big league seasons in Houston.

A visibly upset manager Joe Espada addressed the threats at his postgame news conference.

«There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance,» Espada said. «It is very unfortunate that we have to deal with this. After all he's done for this city, for his team, the fact that we have to talk about that in my office — I got kids too and it really drives me nuts that we have to deal with this. Very sad, very, very sad.

»Listen, he hasn't pitched in two-and-a-half years.… It's