HOUSTON -- Astros starter Brett Oberholtzer was ejected in the second inning Saturday for throwing at Alex Rodriguez in apparent retaliation for the Yankees scoring six runs, including two long home runs.
Oberholtzer, who had trouble with the strike zone during his short outing, missed Rodriguez with the 89 mph inside fastball but was still tossed by plate umpire Rob Drake. The pitch came directly after Chris Young launched a long, two-run homer to make it 6-0 in the second. Oberholtzer did not argue upon being ejected.
"I think it's a kid getting frustrated," manager Joe Girardi said. "I definitely think he threw at Alex, and you don't want to see that. We've seen it before, and we just move on."
Girardi said he saw CC Sabathia step out of the dugout, so the manager quickly bounced out. Both teams were warned after the ejection, and there were no further altercations.
The Yankees surrendered their six-run lead but scored three runs over the eighth and ninth innings to win 9-6.
In the first inning, Brian McCann smashed a grand slam off Oberholtzer, who threw 50 pitches, with only half for strikes. Oberholtzer lasted 1 1/3 innings, allowing the six runs (all earned) on six hits. He walked three and struck out one.
Prior to Saturday, Oberholtzer had pitched well lately, winning two of his three previous starts, but the Astros have shuffled their back-end starters this season.
After the game, Oberholtzer was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, the Astros announced, with a corresponding move to be announced Sunday.
There is no known bad history between Oberholtzer and Rodriguez.