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.
