What's another eight games, right?
Nyjer Morgan found out Friday that he has received an eight-game suspension stemming from his role in a brawl during Wednesday's game against the Marlins. Morgan is already appealing a seven-game suspension for "inappropriate actions" in Philadelphia when he threw a ball into the stands.
Major League Baseball handed out punishments Friday to six players, both managers and a coach after reviewing the Nats-Marlins bench-clearing brawl.
For the Marlins, pitcher Chris Volstad received a six-game suspension. He threw at Morgan twice in the game, hitting him the first time and throwing behind him the second time.
Volstad hit Morgan the first time in the fourth inning -- presumably as payback for Morgan running over catcher Brett Hayes at home in the 10th inning the night before and separating the catcher's shoulder. Morgan took the pitch to the mid-section in stride. He proceeded to steal second base and third base -- sliding hard each time -- before scoring on a sac fly.
Whether it was the fact that Morgan stole twice or perhaps it was his hard slides, something set off Volstad and he threw at Morgan again when he came up in the sixth. This time Volstad missed, sailing the pitch behind Morgan, who dropped his bat and charged the mound.
“I thought it was over after (the fourth inning), but once I saw the ball go right behind me, it’s time to go,” Morgan told reporters after the game. “Once is good enough, but twice, no, it’s time to go.”
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The two combatants weren't the only ones to receive discipline.
Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia is suspended for five games, first baseman Gaby Sanchez for three, and manager Edwin Rodriguez for one game. Pitcher Jose Veras received a fine. Sanchez was the player who tagged Morgan with a clothes-line after he charged the mound.
Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten gets a three-game suspension. Manager Jim Riggleman is suspended for two games, and third base coach Pat Listach for three games.
