Astros Manager A.J. Hinch Denies California Bar Altercation

HOUSTON, TX — It's not Hollywood if you're a celebrity and you don't show up on TMZ, right? Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch finds himself in the middle of a reported fracas while in the middle of trying to win a world championship. TMZ reported that Hinch was among some folks involved in a skirmish inside a Pasadena, California, hotel bar after losing Game 1 of the World Series, 3-1, to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

According to a report from ESPN, a source close to the situation speaking on the condition of anonymity said "fans at the bar cursed and were disrespectful to women in the Astros' traveling party." The ESPN report continued to say the outspoken "fans" were asked to leave the establishment, and that the Astros security detail called police after threats were made by the fans as they left.

While speaking with reporters at Minute Maid Park on Thursday's off day, Hinch said the report was blown out of proportion.

"First off, there was no altercation,'' Hinch said. "And it's a shame I get asked about some nonsense, some fabrications and some non-stories and I have to respond to it on a national stage. But to reiterate, there was no altercation. That's as far as I'm going to go. It's ridiculous.''

According to Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra, there actually was no physical altercation, just words exchanged. But it's true a call was placed to police, and officers responded about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to the Langham Huntington Hotel at 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave. to keep the peace. Ibarra did not know if the call came from hotel management, but said no fight took place, no one was injured and no reports were taken.

"All parties walked away," she said.

Reporters continued to question details of the TMZ report, to which Hinch replied, "Fabrications really suck. And I'm not going to address any of it.''

The Astros won a wild Game 2 in crazy finish, 7-6, in 11 innings. The series is tied at 1-1 and Game 3 is set for Friday night at 7:08 p.m. at Minute Maid Park. Games 4 and 5 will be Saturday and Sunday, respectively, all in Houston.

Image: Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch talks to the media during a World Series baseball news conference, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, in Houston, Texas. McCullers is set to start Game 3 against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)