MLB

Following a ninth-inning meltdown in which he gave up three runs without getting an out, the Houston Astros have sent former closer Ken Giles to the minors on Wednesday.

While his 4.99 ERA might be reason enough for the demotion, the way he left Tuesday’s game against Oakland might have been a factor.

Television replays appeared to show Giles using an expletive when manager A.J. Hinch came out to replace him in a game the Astros eventually won, 6-5, in 11 innings.

In Hinch’s pregame media session, he declined to comment on the interaction he had with Giles.