Why did Marcus Semien got thrown out of the Texas Rangers game versus the Houston Astros?
Following an Adolis Garcia grand slam that gave the Texas Rangers a 13-3 lead over the Houston Astros on Wednesday, the benches cleared. Afterward, Marcus Semien and Martín Maldonado were tossed from the game.
What caused the benches to clear?
The tension started in the first inning when Rangers starter Andrew Heaney hit Astros star Yordan Alvarez on the shoulder after giving up a three-run home run to Alex Bregman.
Astros starter Framber Valdez then hit Semien with a pitch in the third inning before giving up a two-run home run to Nathaniel Lowe.
Semien felt the hit was unnecessary retaliation.
“Obviously, Andrew [Heaney], did not try and hit Yordan,” said Semien, “ I got hit with a four-seam fastball from a sinkerballer [Framber Valdez], it felt like it was on purpose.”
Then trailing, Semien told Maldonado that the Rangers were gonna win the game.
In the next inning, Semien hit a two-run home run that put the Rangers up 6-3 and chirped at Valdez and Maldonado as he rounded the bases.
In the fifth inning, Adolis Garcia hit a grand slam and as Semien was crossing home plate he reminded Moldnado of what he said. Once Garcia crossed the plate he and Maldonado also started jawing followed by the benches clearing.
“After I scored on Adolis’ grand slam, I told him [Martín Maldonado], I told you we’re gonna win this game,” said Semien, “Then all of sudden their bench is out there and both of us are out of the game,” said Semien.
After Semien and Maldonado were tossed, the Rangers cruised to a 13-5 victory and avoided being swept at the start of their six-game road trip.
