Adolis Garcia Doesn't Regret Actions, Reactions in Texas Rangers ALCS Game 5 Loss to Houston Astros

The game-changing events in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros largely featured Adolis Garcia.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Adolis García wasn’t about to apologize for jaunt around the bases dripping in raw emotion and release in the biggest game of the season for the Texas Rangers.

That’s how the slugging right fielder plays – with his heart on his jersey sleeve.

So the events that followed García’s game-turning home run in Friday’s Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros weren’t tinged with regret.

More like heartache.

“We’re always focused on winning, no matter what happens in what situation,” García said via an interpreter after the 5-4 loss that gave Houston a 3-2 series lead. “I think in that moment I want to win, I want the team to win, so I would obviously feel bad.”

Adolis Garcia scores after drilling a three-run homer that gave Texas a 4-2 lead over Houston in Game 5 of the ALCS / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

García was at the center of several plotlines with the ALCS likely hanging in the balance for the two Lone Star rivals. The series shifts with Houston with the Rangers facing an elimination game Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

In the sixth inning of Game 5, García came up with two men on against Astros ace Justin Verlander. The defending champs were leading 2-1 at the time before García grabbed hold of a 95-mph four-seam fastball and sent it 396 feet into the left-field seats.

The Rangers were suddenly up 4-2. The sellout crowd at Globe Life Field – at least those cheering for Texas – erupted. So did García.

He slowly walked up the first-base line before slamming down his bat. The primal screams rang out. He empathetically stepped on home plate to complete the cycle around the bases.

Did he think that display upset the Astros?

“We’re in the postseason, you know,” he said. “It’s the moment. You hit a ball like that, you’re going to celebrate. It’s where we’re at right now. … If they’re trying to react to that, I don’t think that’s the correct way.”

Here’s where the reaction gets cloudy. García came up again in the eighth with no outs and Evan Carter at first, and Texas clinging to the two-run lead.

ADOLIS GARCIA GO-AHEAD 3-RUN HOMER!!

🤠🤠🤠

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/OQaHwrv6Pf

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 20, 2023

Astros reliever Bryan Abreu hit García on the left arm with a 98-mph four-seamer. García immediately turned to confront Houston catcher Martin Maldonado, exchanging words and shoves. The benches and bullpens cleared on both sides.

“I just reacted to the ball that came towards me,” García said. “It was something in that situation, he could have hurt me, he could have injured me. I just let him know that shouldn’t happen there.”

García had to be restrained by teammates and, at the end, by Houston’s Yordan Alvarez. Both are Cuban natives and close friends.

But instead of charging the mound, García went after Maldonado. The two had a similar exchange in July after García was also hit by a pitch. García insisted that there is nothing personal with Maldonado.

“It was just the heat of the moment,” García said of going after the catcher. “I just reacted to being hit by the pitch. I just reacted towards him as soon as I felt the hit. It was just a thing that happened in that instant.”

García was ejected, as was Houston manager Dusty Baker and Abreu. The whole incident was controversial for several reasons from there.

The umpiring crew ruled that Abreu threw purposely at García, which is grounds for ejection. Baker disputed that based on the situation of the game – runner on, eighth inning, close score.

“I can understand how he’d take exception to that,” Baker said. “Nobody likes to get hit. But you’re not going to add runs on [going into] the ninth inning in the playoffs when we’re trying to win a game.”

The subsequent argument carried on longer than manager Bruce Bochy would have liked. After reliever Ryan Pressly warmed up, about 25 minutes had passed before the game was resumed.

Bochy believed that delay could have played a part in closer Jose Leclerc, who got the last out of the eighth inning, being thrown off to start the ninth. Leclerc surrendered Jose Altuve’s game-winning three-run homer. The Texas skipper called the whole episode “crap.”

“The guy hits a three-run homer; the next time up help gets smoked there,” Bochy said. “It doesn’t really matter. I’d be upset, too, if I was Doli. But like I said, it just took too long to get things back in order, that’s what was frustrating me.”

Now the Rangers face two games in Houston that they must win to advance to the World Series, starting Sunday in Game 6.

“There’s still games left,” García said. “There’s another game that we have to turn towards, focus on. I’m going to keep letting the guys know, we still have a shot at this. We’re going to keep grinding, and we’re going to try to find a way to win.”

Leclerc Beat by Altuve in Astros Comeback

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