Tony La Russa flips his lid on umpires after Jose Abreu HBP, chaos ensues (Video)

Tony La Russa stuck up for slugger Jose Abreu, who took a fastball to the upper bicep in the bottom of the eighth inning from Kendall Graveman.

TLR has played it cool most of the series, but facing near certain demise in the eighth to the Houston Astros, he wasn’t having any of it.

Graveman plunked Jose Abreu — seemingly on accident — and La Russa assumed it was retaliatory. TLR ran out of the dugout to challenge the umpires, who quickly told him to return from whence he came.

The aftermath was less than ideal for White Sox fans, as well. Some south siders threw trash on the field, showing their displeasure with the Astros plunking their best hitter.

That’s, uh, less than ideal.

Houston Astros move on the ALCS to face Boston Red Sox

The Astros receive negative treatment pretty much everywhere they go, as has been the case since the sign-stealing scandal. This is especially true for Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa. Altuve was hit with a pitch earlier in the game by Carlos Rodon, hence La Russa assuming this was retaliation.

But…this is the playoffs. Why would the Astros sink that low when the ultimate payback is knocking out the White Sox on their own field, especially after Ryan Tepera’s comments between Games 3 and 4.

“They’ve had a reputation of doing some sketchy stuff over there. We can say it’s a little bit of a difference. I think you saw the swings and misses tonight compared to the first two games at Minute Maid.”

Yeah….about that.

Now, the White Sox can watch the rest of the playoffs from the couch, or golf cart. Whichever you prefer.