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The Houston Astros are not a cherished franchise outside of Houston. This is largely due to their involvement in the sign-stealing scandal, which many believe was the reason they defeated the LA Dodgers in the 2017 World Series. They won their next World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, but accusations of cheating have never really faded.
The Astros and Phillies locked horns on Monday in a hostile environment at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won the opening game 3-2. Fans on X/Twitter used this opportunity to take a dig at the controversial franchise:
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"CHEATERS NEVER WIN," one fan commented.
"CHEATERS AND STILL LOST," another fan added.
"Could have really used those [trash can emoji] tonight," another fan said, referencing their alleged use of trash cans during the sign-stealing scandal.
Most of the reactions were along the same lines as fans trolled the Astros on X:
"2022 such a fluke World Series," said one fan.
"This is what happens when you don’t cheat #RingTheBell," another fan wrote.
"THE WORLD SERIES WAS A FLUKE FRAUDS," one fan said.
Astros lose to Phillies in extra innings, Bryce Harper's walk-off RBI single seals the deal
Pitching took over in Monday's game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros. For the Phillies, Zack Wheeler threw six innings for two runs and six strikeouts. Meanwhile, Astros ace Ronel Blanco – who threw a no-hitter earlier this season – pitched 5.2 innings for two runs and five strikeouts.
The Astros added two runs in the second inning, courtesy of Shay Whitcomb's RBI double. Meanwhile, a solo home run from Brandon Marsh in the fifth and an RBI single from Nick Castellanos in the sixth tied the game 2-2.
From then on, both bullpens shone, with the game needing extra innings. Bryce Harper crunched an RBI single off Josh Hader to allow automatic runner Kyle Schwarber to come home and win the game for the Phillies.
Harper and Co. will look to seal the series in the second game on Tuesday.
