Astros Pitcher Suspended for Intentional Pitch at Rangers’ García
Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu received a two-game suspension and a fine from Major League Baseball (MLB) for intentionally throwing a 99-mph fastball at Adolis García of the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.
According to MLB, all six umpires determined that Abreu’s pitch was deliberate.
The decision to suspend Abreu took into account the dangerous nature of the pitch and its potential impact on player safety.
If he doesn’t appeal, Abreu’s suspension would commence with Game 6, and the appeal would be heard by John McHale Jr., a special assistant to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Benches-Clearing Incident Leads to Suspensions and Fines
The intentional pitch by Abreu triggered a benches-clearing incident, causing a 12-minute delay before play resumed.
As a result, García and Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. received fines, along with Texas pitcher Matt Bush.
McCullers and Bush are prohibited from sitting on their team benches for the remainder of the series.
Furthermore, Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined for his actions following his ejection from the game.
Baker remained in the Astros’ dugout for six minutes before leaving for the clubhouse.
Baker’s Thoughts on the Incident and Suspension
When asked about his thought process during the incident and his ejection, Baker expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “My thought process is I wasn’t ready to go because it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”
He also mentioned that the umpires didn’t say much and simply conveyed that the game couldn’t resume until he left.
Texas Manager’s Perspective on Possible Carryover
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy shared his belief that there wouldn’t likely be any carryover from the scuffle into Game 6, suggesting that the incident was a spontaneous and uncontrollable reaction.
The suspension and fines handed out by MLB demonstrate the league’s commitment to maintaining the safety and sportsmanship of the game.
Benches-clearing incidents are not uncommon in high-stakes matches, but they serve as a reminder of the need for players and managers to maintain control and prioritize fair play.
This incident will certainly be a topic of discussion as the series continues, and both teams will aim to refocus on the game itself in the upcoming matches.