Astros manager Dusty Baker didn’t mince his words Friday night while reflecting on his ejection from Game 5 of the ALCS following a bench-clearing skirmish against the Rangers.
Houston’s eventual 5–4 comeback victory came to a halt in the eighth inning after a first-pitch fastball from Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu into Rangers All-Star Adolis García’s arm raised tensions between the teams. García, who hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, and Abreu were both ejected, as was Baker for his irate defense of his reliever.
After the game, Baker explained his viewpoint of the play before asserting that Abreu’s pitch was an accident, and not thrown with ill intentions.
“You know, that was—it didn’t make any sense to me,” Baker told reporters. “We got a two-run game, and they explain to me that the guy just hit a three-run homer, but that was a mistake that he hit a three-run homer. His ball was down and in, and he wasn’t trying to go down and in.
“We pitch him up. We pitch him up and in. And anytime you’re throwing a projectile 97 miles an hour, some of them are going to get away. I don’t care if you’re Big League, Hall of Fame, I don’t care who you are.”
Andrew Dieb/USA TODAY Sports
Baker went on to share that he spoke with Rangers manager Bruce Bochy following the win and understands why there was an issue. Still, Baker, who said Houston “didn’t do anything wrong,” made it clear he strongly opposed the decision in a way not often seen in his 26 years as a manager.
“I can understand how he’d take exception to that. Nobody likes to get hit,” Baker continued. “But you’re not going to add runs on in the ninth inning in the playoffs when we’re trying to win a game. I mean, this—I just—you know, how do you prove intent? That’s what I don’t—I don’t understand.
“And I haven’t been that mad in a long time. And I don’t usually get mad about nothing. So, I’m just glad that we won the game and it turned out right for us.”
Bryan Abreu and Dusty Baker have been ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/YbKtgv5JXZ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 20, 2023
As both teams regroup for Sunday’s pivotal Game 6, Friday’s dust-up figures to add more animosity between the hungry Rangers and the defending champions on the verge of a third-straight World Series appearance.
For now, though, the last laugh will belong to Houston and Baker, who, despite his simmering anger, was all smiles as he celebrated the stunning win from the dugout.
Dusty Baker was all smiles after the Astros’ comeback win 😅
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 21, 2023
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