The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers nearly got into a bench-clearing brawl after a beanball incident during the 8th inning of their Friday night championship game.
The teams were going head-to-head in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series when Houston relief pitcher Bryan Abreu wound up and hurled a 98.9 mile-per-hour fastball, striking Rangers batter Adolis Garcia in his left arm.
Good old fashioned bench clearing brawl #MLB #Astros #Rangers pic.twitter.com/XCmHj78yRf
— pittsburghpirateguru (@harvardplayer) October 20, 2023
@harvardplayer
Check out this video posted on X … Garcia looks furious as he pushes Houston catcher Martin Maldonado, while the umpire gets between them.
Both teams then pour onto the field and run toward each other, gathering in one big heap near home plate.
The players start yelling and shoving one another, but the tense situation never escalates into a full-scale fight.
Still, Garcia continues to blow off steam as his teammates hold him back — and eventually escort him off Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
The umpires ejected three people: Abreu, Garcia and Astros manager Dusty Baker.
When the game resumed, the Astros went on to beat the Rangers 5-4. The Astros now hold a 3-2 lead in the series as they travel back to Houston for Game 6.
Behave yourselves guys!!