Nationals’ Morgan suspended eight games
MLB came down hard on those involved in the scuffle during Wednesday night’s game between the Florida Marlins and the Washington Nationals. Nyjer Morgan of the Nationals was assessed the roughest penalty, an eight-game suspension as well as an undisclosed fine. Morgan’s penalty was assessed for separate incidents over the course of the week.
Six other players, both managers and a coach were disciplined as well for the altercation. Marlins’ pitcher Chris Volstad was suspended six games, pitcher Alex Sanabia for five and Florida first-baseman Gaby Sanchez for three. Marlins’ manager Edwin Rodriguez was also suspended for one game and fined. Pitcher Jose Veras was fined as well.
Nationals’ manager Jim Riggleman was suspended for two games while pitcher Doug Slaten and third-base coach Pat Listach were both suspended for three games. Listach and Riggleman were also fined.
Morgan was delivered the harshest penalty as he charged the mound and began the huge brawl after being struck by a pitch. He’s been stirring the pot for the past couple of weeks. He is already set to appeal an additional seven-game suspension on Tuesday. That penalty was issued after a 21 August incident in which Morgan threw a ball into the stands in Philadelphia. Last week, he ran over Cardinals’ catcher Bryan Anderson even though Anderson didn’t have the ball. Morgan was called out on the play and was benched by Riggleman the next game. For the icing on the cake, he ran into Marlins’ catcher Brett Hayes on Tuesday while trying to score at home. Hayes still managed to tag him out but suffered a separated shoulder on the play.
Morgan was hit by a pitch on Wednesday for the first time, in part due to the incident on Tuesday. That was expected, but Morgan answered by stealing second and third even though the Nationals were trailing 14-3. When Volstad threw one behind his back, trying to hit him again, Morgan charged the mound.
Riggleman showed support for Morgan saying the Marlins had no business trying to hit him twice. Morgan may be looking at missing nearly half of what remains in the season, but it shouldn’t matter too much. The Nationals are well out of a playoff spot and it is a lost season for them.
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