(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros was a back-and-forth affair with multiple lead changes.
The Rangers jumped to a 4-2 lead after a crucial three-run home run by Adolis Garcia last Friday.
Garcia did a bat flip and took his time to run the bases, as he was admiring his home run and soaking up the moment and the energy of the crowd.
A couple of innings later, with the Rangers still on top by two runs, Astros reliever Bryan Abreu plunked Garcia with a pitch.
The benches cleared and a heated discussion ensued.
Abreu, Garcia, and Astros manager Dusty Baker were tossed.
The pitcher was suspended for two games for hitting Garcia with the pitch, and he appealed.
As of Monday afternoon, nobody knows whether Abreu will be available for Game 7 or not.
“The hearing on Astros reliever Bryan Abreu’s appeal is officially scheduled today before Game 7, and a decision could be rendered by game time whether he is suspended,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
The hearing on Astros reliever Bryan Abreu’s appeal is officially scheduled today before Game 7, and a decision could be rendered by game time whether he is suspended.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 23, 2023
In all likelihood, Abreu wasn’t trying to hit Garcia.
At that time, Texas had a runner on base with nobody out in the eighth inning and it was still a two-run ballgame, well within the Astros’ reach as Jose Altuve proved an inning later.
If the ones making the decision can be convinced that the pitcher didn’t do it on purpose, there is a chance Abreu can suit up for the winner-take-all affair on Monday in Houston.
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