Astros catcher addresses confrontation with Rangers outfielder in ALCS

Martin Maldonado and Adolis Garcia had a heated moment during Game 5 of the ALCS between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros on Friday night. Garcia initiated the confrontation, and Maldonado says that the Rangers outfielder made a big mistake.

Garcia was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning of Game 5, resulting in the benches clearing, and three ejections.

Garcia, who had slugged a three-run home run in his previous at-bat and celebrated it with a bat spike, immediately confronted Maldonado after being hit. Garcia was ejected for his actions.

The Astros were down 4-2 after Garcia’s home run, but they took the lead on Jose Altuve’s three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. The Astros held off a Rangers rally in the bottom of the inning to win, 5-4, and take a 3-2 series lead.

After the game, Maldonado was interviewed by the FOX MLB crew. “I know he’s upset but … the worst thing he did was wake up the Houston Astros,” Maldonado said of Garcia.