Associated Press
June 7, 2008
A day after the Red Sox and Rays tangled, Major League Baseball struck back: Eight suspensions totaling 38 games.
Boston outfielder Coco Crisp and Tampa Bay pitcher James Shields were the hardest hit yesterday, the result of their fight that turned into a wild, bench-clearing brawl at Fenway Park.
Three Red Sox were suspended: Crisp for seven games, pitcher Jon Lester for five games and first baseman Sean Casey for three games.
Five Rays were penalized by MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson: Shields for six games, DH-outfielder Jonny Gomes and pitcher Edwin Jackson for five games each, outfielder Carl Crawford for four games and second baseman Akinori Iwamura for three games.
All eight players also were fined undisclosed amounts. The Red Sox and Rays have often clashed in the past, and their latest outburst came during Boston's 7-1 win Thursday.
"I want to be very clear: I defend everything our guys did," Ray manager Joe Maddon said.
The starting dates of the suspensions were staggered, so as to not leave either team short-handed.
Crisp, Shields and Gomes all appealed their penalties, which were set to start last night. They can play until the appeal process is complete.
Lester, suspended for throwing a pitch at a Tampa Bay hitter after a warning had been issued, did not appeal.
Crawford was set to start serving his suspension Wednesday, Jackson on June 13, Casey on June 14 and Iwamura on June 17.
