Game 5 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers will be forever remembered for José Altuve’s game-winning three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. But it was already a memorable game before that, and Rangers outfielder Adolis García was a big reason why.
García hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Texas a 4-2 lead. That was still the score when García came up in the eighth inning for his next at-bat. With a runner on first and nobody out, García was hit by a pitch by Houston’s Bryan Abreu.
Clearly feeling there was intent behind the pitch, García immediately confronted Astros catcher Martín Maldonado. That led to both benches clearing.
Eventually, García, Abreu and Houston manager, Dusty Baker, were all ejected.
After the game, García was asked if he thought the Astros were intentionally throwing at him as payback for showboating following his home run.
“We’re in the postseason, you know,” García said, per Bob Nightengale, USA Today. “It’s the moment. You hit a ball like that, you’re going to celebrate..If they’re trying to react to that, I don’t think that’s the correct way.”
From a baseball point of view, it would not have made much sense to throw at García intentionally. The game was clearly still winnable for the Astros but they were in a tight spot. Beaning García put runners at first and second with nobody out. And it’s not as though first base was open. The HBP put a runner into scoring position. That’s not something a team would normally want to do down by two runs and trying to keep a playoff game in a tied series close.
That said, there was already bad blood between the two teams when the series began. A benches-clearing incident between the two teams occurred in July when García hit a grand slam. Before García rounded the bases, though, Marcus Semien, who was on base for the grand slam, got into an argument with Maldonado, which continued when García crossed home plate.
Game 6 of the series will be on Sunday night in Houston. And if the tension level wasn’t already high enough, expect it to be even greater now that elimination is on the table.
[Bob Nightengale on Twitter]