Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu is facing a two-game suspension for hitting Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia with a 99 mph fastball during Game 5 of the ALCS.
HOUSTON — Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu has been handed a two-game suspension in the wake of his controversial hit by pitch of Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia, which sparked a benches-clearing incident and a near brawl in the late stages of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night.
Major League Baseball noted in its news release that „all six of the major league umpires deemed Abreu’s pitch to have been intentional“ in ejecting him from the game, adding that the league „took into account the dangerous nature of the pitch and its potential impact on player safety“ in doling out the suspension.
The announcement — made by MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill — asserted that Abreu was suspended for „intentionally throwing at“ Garcia, a notion several members of the Astros denied in the wake of Houston’s come-from-behind victory in Game 5, including Abreu himself.
„My plan for him was just to try to get the ball up and in,“ Abreu said after the game. „That’s my plan with him — up and in, and slider down and away.
