Garcia’s Massive Miscalculation Woke Up Houston Astros in Game 5 of ALCS

Houston Astros Martin Maldonado had a message for the Texas Rangers — and probably everyone else — after the Astros’ 5-4 win in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

He sent that message from the Astros clubhouse and it was intended for Rangers outfielder Adolis García, in particular.

“The worst thing he did was wake up the Houston Astros,” Maldonado said.

That wake-up call occurred in the eighth inning with the Rangers up 4-2. Two innings earlier García had drilled a three-run home run off Astros starter Justin Verlander, one in which García celebrated as he walked down the first-base line. It sent the Rangers’ home crowd at Globe Life Field into a frenzy and quieted the Astros fans that were in attendance.

If there’s any thought of the Astros, and Verlander in particular, being offended by the celebration, Verlander tried to shut those down after the game.

“I don’t think anyone is mad about him pimping a homer,” Verlander said about García’s celebration. “It was the biggest homer of his career, quite honestly. I don’t think anybody on the team did (take offense), quite honestly.”

But, in the eighth, with the Rangers in control, García came to the plate to face reliever Bryan Abreu. Abreu drilled him with a 97 mile-per-hour fastball on the first pitch and García immediately turned to not Abreu, but Maldonado, which resulted in the benches clearing and a near-brawl between the two teams.

The Astros deflected any questions about intent in the wake of the game, saying the situation didn’t call for it.

“I think given the situation I think it’s pretty clear there was no intent there,” Verlander said, alluding to the fact that the Astros were still in the game.

The fracas led to ejections of Abreu, García and Astros manager Dusty Baker, who said afterward that he hadn’t been that made in a long time. He said the umpire’s explanation of intent made no sense to him and, in a bit of protest, wouldn’t leave the dugout for several minutes after he was ejected.

Abreu was suspended for two games on Saturday, but he is expected to appeal, which would make him available for Game 6.

Baker and Verlander also said they understood why García took exception to it. Same goes for Altuve.

“I don’t think anyone likes to get hit, especially by a 95 mile-per-hour fastball,” Altuve said.

An inning later, Altuve hit a three-run home run to give the Astros a 5-4 lead and eventual win.

So, did the emotions of the benches clearing “wake” the Astros up?

Verlander didn’t think so. Baker wasn’t sure either. But then again he missed the ninth inning heroics entirely.

“I wasn’t seeing nothing,” Baker said. “I was just seeing red, you know. And I couldn’t even see straight because that was just — I mean I hope it did, you know? And if that’s what it takes sometimes, I guess you got to do it.”

2023 ALCS schedule (FOX/FS1)

Game 1: Rangers 2, Astros 0

Game 2: Rangers 5, Astros 4

Game 3: Astros 8, Rangers 5

Game 4: Astros 10, Rangers 3

Game 5: Astros 5, Rangers 4 (Astros lead series, 3-2)

Game 6: Sunday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 7*: Monday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)

*If necessary