Rangers’ García slams Astros plunking: ‘Not right’
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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas — Adolis García took a 99-mph fastball to his left arm in Friday’s eighth inning and immediately turned to Houston Astros catcher Martín Maldonado.
“Why like that?!” García yelled, according to Maldonado.
“Like what?” Maldonado responded.
Two innings earlier, García hit a three-run homer that gave his Texas Rangers a two-run lead and celebrated emphatically, walking halfway up the first-base line and slamming his bat onto the Globe Life Field turf before making his way around the bases. Less than three months before that, García and Maldonado had jawed at each other at home plate in another benches-clearing incident. It all raced through García’s mind in a split second.
“I felt like that hit by pitch could’ve been worse,” García said, “and I told him that was not right.”
A series devoid of drama through its first four contests finally sprung to life in the pivotal Game 5 of this American League Championship Series, reigniting some of the tension between two division rivals separated by 250 miles. García hit the big home run in the sixth, then took exception to being plunked two innings later. Benches cleared. Three ejections were handed out. And then Jose Altuve finished it off with the ninth-inning three-run homer that sent the Astros to a dramatic 5-4 victory, putting them one win away from their fifth World Series appearance in seven years.
Maldonado was later asked if he believed the emotions of the eighth inning fired his team up.
“Yeah,” he said, “I do.”
García and the man who threw at him, Astros right-hander Bryan Abreu, were both ejected. Astros manager Dusty Baker was ejected, too, following a heated discussion with umpires who saw him fling his cap against the dugout railing. The hit by pitch occurred in the late stages of a two-run game, with a runner on first and none out, and it ultimately prompted the Astros to turn to their closer, Ryan Pressly, an inning early. Several members of the Astros pointed to that as their defense.
“It didn’t make any sense to me,” Baker said of the notion that Abreu hit García on purpose, later adding: “I can understand how he’d take exception to that; nobody likes to get hit. But you’re not going to add runs on in the [eighth] inning of the playoffs when they’re trying to win a game. … I don’t understand. I haven’t been that mad in a long time, and I don’t usually get mad at nothing.”
Rangers reliever Aroldis Chapman was among those who disagreed with Baker’s interpretation.
“Anybody who watched that game knows that he hit him intentionally,” Chapman said in Spanish.
Asked why, Chapman said: “I imagine it’s the way he celebrated the home run he hit [two innings earlier]. I imagine it’s because of that. But I don’t think there’s any reason to hit somebody the way he did. These days, guys hit home runs and celebrate the way they want to. That era of guys celebrating and then getting hit — that’s in the past. It’s really ugly on his part to have done something like that.”
“I mean, yeah, it doesn’t look good,” Rangers third baseman Josh Jung added. “Guy hits a big homer, watched it for a second and guy comes in who throws really hard — I know he said it slipped. But if you go back and watch it, it looks like it slipped straight at Adolis.”
Benches cleared between the Rangers and Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston on July 26, in the wake of García’s fifth-inning grand slam. Marcus Semien exchanged words with Maldonado when he reached home plate and García later joined him, prompting benches and bullpens to empty. Semien had been hit two innings earlier. No punches were thrown that night. They weren’t thrown Friday, either, but García charged at Maldonado after most of the players had reached the playing field and had to be separated a second time. Yordan Alvarez, his Cuban countryman, walked with García in an effort to calm him, telling him Abreu wasn’t trying to hit him.
“Everybody on their side is going to say it wasn’t, everybody on this side is going to say it was,” Semien said. “The only one who really knows is the pitcher.”
Maldonado said he was set up outside and that the Astros “weren’t trying to hit anybody.”
Altuve said he had no issue with García’s celebration, saying he doesn’t find such displays of emotion “disrespectful at all.” Abreu agreed.
“I’m the kind of guy that I don’t care about celebrations,” Abreu said. “That was a big, big moment, big spot for him. He hit a homer, he got a chance to celebrate and do whatever he wants. I just went in and just tried to compete against him. That was a tough spot for me. I just want to keep the lead that they have in the bottom of the eighth and just tried to compete against him.”
Astros starter Justin Verlander, who gave up the home run to García and exited his start moments later, said he was “disappointed” that Abreu was ejected.
“The umpires are there to calm the situation, keep the game moving, not let things get escalated,” Verlander said. “But more importantly they’re there just to determine if something was intentional or not. In that spot, I don’t know how those six guys got together and determined that they were sure it was intentional, because I think from a baseball perspective it surely was not.”
Crew chief James Hoye and the other five umpires worked to separate the players, then huddled and “decided that the pitch that Abreu threw was intentional on García,” said Hoye, who worked left field. García was ejected for “being the aggressor” and continuing to go after Maldonado, Hoye added. Baker was ejected for arguing Abreu’s ejection, then refused to leave the dugout until Astros bench coach Joe Espada convinced him to, according to Hoye. MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill said the league will review the incident and determine potential suspensions “in a timely fashion.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was peeved at how long it took to sort everything out, which he believes might have been part of the reason for Jose Leclerc not being sharp when he came back out for the ninth inning.
“The whole thing is a bunch of crap, to be honest, what happened there,” Bochy said. “Who knows what intensions are, but it’s not the first time it’s happened and couldn’t get the game going again. And I’m sure it affected him, because he came in to get an out there in the eighth inning. Maybe that played a part in it.”
Leclerc, who relieved Chapman with two outs in the eighth, gave up a leadoff single to pinch hitter Yainer Diaz and then walked pinch hitter Jon Singleton before serving up the three-run homer to Altuve on an 0-1 changeup low and in. Leclerc said the long delay was “no excuse. I need to execute my pitches and do a better job.”
Given what also took place in July, García was asked if it has become personal between him and Maldonado.
“I don’t have anything personal with anybody,” García said. “I’m just trying to play my game.”
ESPN’s Buster Olney contributed to this report.
Virginia Tech hired James Franklin to be its next head football coach, the school announced Monday.
He will be formally introduced at a news conference Wednesday morning.
“I’m honored and humbled to join the Hokie family,” Franklin said in a statement. “My vision is simple: to restore unmatched excellence, to build something that lasts, and to serve this University, the Commonwealth of Virginia and our amazing fan base with honor, integrity, and passion. I look forward to getting to work with our players, our staff, and the entire Virginia Tech community.”
Franklin was originally owed a $49 million buyout after being fired by Penn State on Oct. 12, but part of his deal with the Hokies, sources confirmed to ESPN, includes a $9 million settlement from the Nittany Lions.
Franklin went 128-60 over 12 seasons at Penn State and three at Vanderbilt. He brings a résumé that includes winning more than 68% of his games, an appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals and a Big Ten championship in 2016.
He’ll replace his former defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who was fired in September after an 0-3 start and a 16-24 record with the Hokies through four seasons.
Franklin’s arrival in Blacksburg will give the Hokies their most accomplished coach since Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, who retired in 2015 after 29 seasons at the school. Since that time, Tech has endured the underwhelming tenures of Justin Fuente and Pry as the school struggled to assimilate to modern college football.
After firing Pry, Tech’s board of visitors passed a plan to add $229 million to the athletics budget over the next four years. The move was to help make Tech a more attractive job and attract a candidate who could revive the school’s lagging football fortunes.
“James Franklin embodies the spirit, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence that will elevate Virginia Tech Football back on the national stage where it belongs,” athletic director Whit Babcock said in a statement. “This is a landmark moment for our program. … James is a dynamic leader, a relentless recruiter, and a coach who has proven he can build and sustain elite, championship-caliber programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg and to entrust him with the future of VT Football.”
In Franklin, the Hokies get an established coach whose availability wasn’t considered a possibility at the start of the 2025 season. Penn State began the season ranked No. 2 in the country and started 3-0 before enduring three straight losses, including a double-overtime loss to No. 6 Oregon when the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 3 in September.
After losses to UCLA and Northwestern, Penn State fired Franklin.
Franklin came to Penn State in 2014 in the throes of NCAA sanctions from the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal. Franklin led the Nittany Lions to the Rose Bowl and Big Ten title in 2016.
Franklin’s tenure was ultimately defined by general success that never manifested at the very highest levels of winning, as he finished 4-21 at Penn State against AP top-10 opponents. Over his 12 seasons there, he led Penn State to six seasons of double-digit victories, including three straight from 2022 to 2024.
The Centre Daily Times was first to report about Penn State’s settlement with Franklin.
Virginia Tech hasn’t won double-digit games since Fuente’s first season in 2016. From 2004 to 2011, Tech won double-digit games each season under Beamer.
Franklin brings strong ties to the I-95 corridor, including the talent-rich DMV area. Along with recruiting that area heavily at Penn State, Franklin coached two stints at Maryland as an assistant and one year at James Madison.
Ohio State and Indiana both won big to keep their undefeated seasons alive, but the rest of the top 5 made things exciting. Texas A&M, after trailing South Carolina 30-3 at the half, stormed back to win by a point. Alabama lost its first conference game of the season to Oklahoma. And Georgia, after battling Texas for three quarters, scored three touchdowns in the final period to win 35-10.
What does it all mean for the AP Top 25? Let’s break down the rankings.
Stats courtesy of ESPN Research.
All times Eastern.
Previous ranking: 1
2025 record: 10-0
Week 12 result: Defeated UCLA 48-10
Stat to know: This is Ohio State’s fourth 10-0 start under Ryan Day.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Rutgers
Previous ranking: 2
2025 record: 11-0
Week 12 result: Defeated Wisconsin 31-7
Stat to know: This is Indiana’s first-ever 11-game win streak.
What’s next: Nov. 28 at Purdue, 7:30 p.m., NBC
Previous ranking: 3
2025 record: 10-0
Week 12 result: Defeated South Carolina 31-30
Stat to know: Texas A&M’s 27-point comeback against South Carolina is the largest in school history.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Samford, noon, SEC Network+
Previous ranking: 5
2025 record: 9-1
Week 12 result: Defeated Texas 35-10
Stat to know: Georgia has won 12 straight home games against AP top 10 teams.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Charlotte, 12:45 p.m., SEC Network
Previous ranking: 6
2025 record: 10-1
Week 12 result: Defeated Florida 34-24
Stat to know: Ole Miss is 2-0 when trailing entering the fourth quarter this season.
What’s next: Nov. 28 at Mississippi State, noon
Previous ranking: 8
2025 record: 10-1
Week 12 result: Defeated UCF 48-9
Stat to know: All of Texas Tech’s wins this season have been decided by 20 or more points.
What’s next: Nov. 29 at West Virginia
Previous ranking: 7
2025 record: 9-1
Week 12 result: Defeated Minnesota 42-13
Stat to know: Oregon has won 38 straight games against unranked opponents. That’s the second-longest streak in FBS behind Georgia.
What’s next: Saturday vs. USC, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Previous ranking: 11
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Alabama 23-21
Stat to know: Oklahoma had 212 yards of total offense, its fewest in a win since 2001.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Missouri, noon, ABC
Previous ranking: 9
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Pittsburgh 37-15
Stat to know: This is Notre Dame’s eighth straight win following its 0-2 start.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Syracuse, 3:30 p.m., NBC
Previous ranking: 4
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Lost to Oklahoma 23-21
Stat to know: The loss to Oklahoma snapped Alabama’s eight-game win streak.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois, 2 p.m., SEC Network+
Previous ranking: 12
2025 record: 8-1
Week 12 result: Defeated TCU 44-13
Stat to know: BYU scored on each of its first seven drives against TCU.
What’s next: Saturday at Cincinnati, 8:00 p.m., Fox
Previous ranking: 13
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Idle
What’s next: Saturday vs. Kentucky, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Previous ranking: 15
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Baylor 55-28
Stat to know: Utah has scored 45 points or more in its past three games.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Kansas State, 4:00 p.m., ESPN2
Previous ranking: 16
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated NC State 41-7
Stat to know: Miami’s 581 yards against NC State were its most in a conference game since 2020.
What’s next: Saturday at Virginia Tech, noon, ESPN
Previous ranking: 14
2025 record: 9-1
Week 12 result: Defeated Boston College 36-34
Stat to know: Georgia Tech would secure a spot in the ACC title game with a win next week against Pitt.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., ESPN
Previous ranking: 17
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Iowa 26-21
Stat to know: USC has lost six straight games against top 10 opponents, a streak going back to 2019.
What’s next: Saturday at Oregon, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Previous ranking: 10
2025 record: 7-3
Week 12 result: Lost to Georgia 35-10
Stat to know: The loss to Georgia was the fifth consecutive loss against an AP top-five team for Texas.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Arkansas, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Previous ranking: 18
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Northwestern 24-22
Stat to know: Michigan has won nine consecutive games against Northwestern.
What’s next: Saturday at Maryland, 4:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
Previous ranking: 20
2025 record: 9-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Duke 34-17
Stat to know: Virginia is 9-1 in its past 10 games against Duke.
What’s next: Nov. 29 vs. Virginia Tech
Previous ranking: 21
2025 record: 7-3
Week 12 result: Defeated New Mexico State 42-9
Stat to know: Tennessee has 434 points this season, its second-most through ten games in school history.
What’s next: Saturday at Florida, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Previous ranking: 24
2025 record: 9-1
Week 12 result: Defeated App State 58-10
Stat to know: JMU has won eight straight since losing to Louisville in Week 2.
What’s next: Saturday vs. Washington State, 1:00 p.m., ESPN+
Previous ranking: NR
2025 record: 9-1
Week 12 result: Defeated UAB 53-24
Stat to know: This is the first time North Texas has been ranked in the AP poll.
What’s next: Saturday at Rice, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
Previous ranking: NR
2025 record: 7-3
Week 12 result: Defeated Mississippi State 49-27
Stat to know: Missouri’s 49 points against Mississippi State was its sixth-best mark against an SEC opponent since joining the conference in 2012.
What’s next: Saturday at Oklahoma, noon, ABC
Previous ranking: NR
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Defeated Florida Atlantic 35-24
Stat to know: Tulane is now 2-1 all time against FAU.
What’s next: Saturday at Temple, 3:45 p.m., ESPNU
Previous ranking: NR
2025 record: 8-2
Week 12 result: Idle
What’s next: Saturday vs. TCU, 4:00 p.m., Fox
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