
Bryan Abreu won't serve his suspension until the 2024 season. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu was suspended for two games for hitting Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia in the shoulder in Game 5 of the ALCS. The umpires determined there was intent and Garcia was hit on purpose, hence the suspension.
Abreu appealed the decision on Sunday, and a hearing was conducted by MLB to decide whether to reduce the suspension or uphold it. MLB announced on Monday that the suspension will be upheld, but that it would not be enforced until the 2024 season.
Bryan Abreu’s two-game suspension has been upheld. He will serve it at the beginning of the 2024 season. He is available tonight.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 23, 2023
An important victory for the Astros as Abreu is available to pitch in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.