Giles demoted after latest meltdown

The Astros optioned reliever Ken Giles to Triple-A Fresno a night after he appeared to curse at manager A.J. Hinch when he lifted him from the game.

The Astros were up by four to start the ninth inning against the Athletics on Tuesday night when Giles gave up three straight singles which cut the lead to 4-1 in a game the Astros ended up winning 6-5 in 11 innings.

Hinch came to the mound to take out Giles and the television broadcast caught him appearing to curse at Hinch after he walked by him on his way off the field.

It’s was the second major outburst of the year for the right-hander, who punched himself in the face as he left the mound after another bad performance earlier in the season.

Giles has a 4.99 ERA with 12 saves in 34 appearances, but he has only one save in his last nine outings. Hector Rondon, who has seven saves, has been getting the call as closer in recent games.

“We need to get his pitching right,” Hinch said before Wednesday’s game against the Athletics. “He’s had an up-anddown season. He’s had some meltdowns, but we need to get him right. He’s not right. We’ve got to get him right mentally and physically.”

For his career, Giles has 77 saves in 91 opportunities with a 2.72 ERA in parts of five seasons with the Astros and Phillies.

Hinch told the media he did not specifically address what Giles said to him when he was being removed in the ninth inning Tuesday night.

“It’s important for him to get himself right to where he’s directing all his attention toward the hitter and toward his job,” Hinch said. “He pitches with a lot of emotion. He’s had success in this league, but right now he’s got to sort some things out.”