Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. received tons of cheers as he made his first home start for the team since 2022.
It would not last past the first inning.
Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer in Cincinnati’s 10-run first inning as the Reds pounced on McCullers early and held on for a 13-9 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.
McCullers, who was making just his second start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, struggled with command. He would not make it out of the first inning.
Before the game would end, Lance McCullers Jr. received threats against his and his family’s lives on social media.
According to a team spokesperson, the situation became so bad that the organization notified the Houston Police Department and MLB Security about the threats.
Manager Joe Espada began his postgame news conference by saying that McCullers had received threats against “his life and the lives of his kids.”
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“I just left my office, and it’s very unfortunate that Lance McCullers — that there are people who are threatening his life and the lives of his kids because of his performance,” Espada said.
A heated Joe Espada began his postgame news conference by revealing that threats against Lance McCullers Jr’s family and life were made after today’s start. The Astros say they’ve notified HPD and MLB security about the threats.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 11, 2025
Houston Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Speaks Out
Houston Astros starter 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 both the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball security about the threats.
Following the game, McCullers broke his silence, saying, “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.”
Lance McCullers Jr. addressing the threats he and his family received. Courtesy SCHN.
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) May 11, 2025
Find this person, lock them up, and throw away the key. pic.twitter.com/tZlSEwhq75
“There have been many threats over the years aimed at me, mostly … But I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them … it’s tough.”
The Reds went on to win Saturday’s game, 13-9.
