The Houston Astros weren't happy with the lack of support from fans at Daikin Park during Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of their wild-card series.
"It's extremely frustrating as a home player," Christian Walker told reporters postgame, including Chandler Rome of The Athletic. "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. We're the ones out there."
The AL West champions are on the verge of elimination after coming into the best-of-three series with the worst full-season record (81-81) for a playoff team in MLB history. The club has also lost eight straight postseason games at home.
"The fans here are definitely spoiled with a lot of ALCS and World Series runs, and we have to earn that right to bring this team back to that position," Bennett Sousa said. "That being said, when this team was in their first (playoff) series 10 years ago, Minute Maid Park was probably packed. It makes a big difference. If we were in Chicago, it'd probably be loud as shit."
Sousa was one of several Astros pitchers who got booed as Houston used a bullpen game.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I was pretty pissed off in the dugout when I came in - about the boos," Sousa added. "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."
The 31-year-old reliever later apologized for his remarks.
"I'm sorry for the comments I made about our fan base," Sousa said Wednesday. "Anyone that knows me knows how much I care about this organization, this city, and our fans."
He added: "I personally was emotional after an emotional game and was emotional in the wrong way. It needs to be about me there and look inside and know it's not about the fans."
Meanwhile, AL MVP favorite Yordan Alvarez is ready to turn the page to Wednesday's do-or-die contest.
"Frustrated we weren't able to get them the victory that we wanted to give them, but (Wednesday) we're going to try and go out and give them the win they deserve," Alvarez said.
Astros ace Hunter Brown will go up against White Sox right-hander Sean Burke in Game 2.
