CINCINNATI — Baseball threw the book at the Reds and the Pirates for Tuesday night's brawl and - surprise - gave the longest suspension to the Pirates pitcher who instigated it.
Reds suspensions went to pitcher Amir Garrett (eight games), manager David Bell (six), since-traded outfielder Yasiel Puig (three) and reliever Jared Hughes (three), MLB announced Thursday.
Pirates suspensions went to pitcher Keone Kela (10 games), infielder José Osuna (five), pitcher Kyle Crick (three) and manager Clint Hurdle (two).
The suspensions of the six players have been delayed while the players appeal. Bell's suspension will commence Thursday night in Atlanta and Hurdle's will begin on Friday.
Fines were issued to those eight and to Reds first baseman Joey Votto, Reds outfielder Phillip Ervin and Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams. Additionally, a number of players from both teams were fined for participating in the bench-clearing, ninth-inning incident while on the injured list.
Joe Torre, Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball, said the suspensions, climaxing years of hostility between the Reds and Pirates, should be a warning to both teams.
“The incidents between these two clubs remain a source of concern, and it’s reflected by the level of discipline we are handing down today," Torre said. "Everyone on the field should be aware of the example they are setting for fans, particularly young people. I firmly expect these two managers and all others to hold their players accountable for appropriate conduct and to guide them in the right direction.”
An MLB release detailed the reasons for each suspension:
- Kela for intentionally throwing a pitch in the area of the head of Derek Dietrich of the Reds in the bottom of the seventh inning and for his role in instigating the bench-clearing incident.
- Garrett for inciting the bench-clearing incident by running to the area outside the Pirates’ dugout and throwing a punch in the top of the ninth inning.
- Osuna for his aggressive and inappropriate actions during the incident.
- Puig, now with the Indians, for his aggressive actions during the incident.
- Hughes for intentionally throwing a pitch at Starling Marte of the Pirates in the top of the ninth inning.
- Crick for aggressive actions during the incident.
- Bell for returning to the field following his ejection; escalating the incident with his aggressive actions; Hughes' intentional pitch at Marte; and his numerous ejections this season.
- Hurdle for his club’s conduct during the incident and his club’s multiple intentional pitches thrown at Dietrich this season.
