Inside the Astros

Watch: Massive Brawl Ensues Between Astros and Rangers Following Controversial Call

The benches cleared between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers following a controversial hit by pitch.

Kade Kistner

Watch: Massive Brawl Ensues Between Astros and Rangers Following Controversial Call
Watch: Massive Brawl Ensues Between Astros and Rangers Following Controversial Call /
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High drama occurred during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

It all started when Astros reliever Bryan Abreu hit Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia with an inside 99 mph fastball with no outs in the bottom of the eighth.

Garcia then immediately turned to Astros catcher Martin Maldonado where words were exchanged and the umpires had to hold Garcia back from laying hands on Maldonado. 

The benches and bullpens cleared as chaos ensued. Rangers bench coach Donnie Ecker and Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez helped diffuse the situation and kept Garcia away from Maldonado during the incident.

The incident likely stemmed from the sixth inning, three-run home run that Garcia hit off of Justin Verlander. Garcia pimped the home run and then stomped on home plate as Texas took the lead. 

This isn't the first time these two teams have gotten into it this season. Earlier in the regular season Marcus Semien was hit by a pitch from Framber Valdez that he felt like was on purpose.

Benches also cleared in that incident and Maldonado was once again in the thick of it. 

Tensions are running high in this competitive series as both teams are fiercely battling it out to see who will appear in the World Series.

Bad blood indeed in this Texas showdown.

The ALCS will move to Minute Maid Park in Houston for Game 6 and 7 (if necessary). 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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