Umpire Explains Controversial Astros, Rangers Ejections In Game 5 of ALCS

ARLINGTON, Texas — James Hoye, the crew chief for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series provided confirmation on why two players and a manager were thrown out of the game in the eighth inning of Game 5.

The Houston Astros won the game, 5-4, on a three-run go-ahead home run by Jose Altuve.

But, in the eighth inning the benches cleared after Astros reliever Bryan Abreu hit Rangers hitter Adolis García in the back with a 95 mile-per-hour fastball, two innings after García hit a three-run home run to give the Rangers a 4-2 lead.

García immediately turned and confronted Astros catcher Martin Maldonado and needed to be restrained by teammates, along with Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. The ensuing delay led to three ejections, according to the pool report.

Hoye confirmed that Abreu was ejected for throwing at García with intent.

“We had a conference among the six of us (umpires) and we decided that that pitch Abreu threw was intentional,” Hoye said.

García was ejected for being the aggressor.

“We felt like after he was hit with the Maldonado situation, we felt like he was the aggressor there and continued the dispute because he was aggressive,” Hoye said. “So we ejected him for that reason.”

Astros manager Dusty Baker was ejected for arguing the decision. Baker actually did not leave the dugout immediately after the ejection. He stayed for several minutes while Ryan Pressly warmed up on the field, as he was given as much time as he needed to warm up.

The home plate umpire, Marvin Hudson, had to talk with Baker to get him to leave before play could resume.

“After that Dusty wouldn’t leave the dugout,” Hoye said. “He felt that he was not going to leave. Marvin went over to talk to him, and then Joe (Espada) got him out of the dugout.”

Mike Hill, the senior vice president of field operations for MLB, said the event would be reviewed for any discipline.

“We’ll try to review everything in a timely fashion and make a decision,” Hill said. “I don’t want to jump the gun on anything.”

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