HOUSTON -- Apparently frustrated after allowing two home runs early in Saturday's game, Astros' starter Brett Oberholtzer threw a pitch directly at Yankees' slugger Alex Rodriguez (the pitch didn't hit him) and was immediately ejected.

A few hours later, Oberholtzer was sent to Triple-A Fresno, perhaps as a form as punishment.

"That's now how we operate," Astros' manager A.J. Hinch said after the game.

Hinch also reached out to Yankees' manager Joe Girardi and Alex Rodriguez about the incident.

"I think it's a nice gesture on his part," Girardi said. "Obviously we saw a young man get frustrated yesterday and probably lost his head for a second. A.J. told me the same thing he told the media."

Girardi said he hopes Oberholtzer has learned from the situation and everyone can move on.

Oberholtzer had pitched moderately well before Saturday in six starts; he was 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 32.0 innings.

Ryan Hatch may be reached at rhatch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanhatch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.