Boston and Baltimore hit with bans after heated games
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NEW YORK (Reuters) - David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox and Kevin Gregg of the Baltimore Orioles have each been suspended for four games following several heated exchanges between the teams last week.
Designated hitter Ortiz and pitcher Gregg were also handed undisclosed fines for their actions during Friday's game at Boston's Fenway Park when they incited the benches to clear on two occasions, Major League Baseball (MLB) said on Thursday.
After consecutive pitches inside to Ortiz, the Red Sox slugger pointed at Gregg and words were exchanged as the two benches cleared briefly before order was restored.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ortiz flew out on the next pitch and Gregg shouted at him. Ortiz then charged and met Gregg halfway between the mound and first base line where they swung a few punches and the benches cleared again.
Unless they appeal, Gregg is scheduled to begin his suspension later on Thursday, when the Orioles host the Cleveland Indians, while Ortiz will start his ban on Friday, when the Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays.
The heated series between Boston and Baltimore yielded several additional disciplinary measures by MLB.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez was handed a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at Ortiz during the bottom of the sixth inning in Sunday's game, despite earlier warnings.
Gonzalez will start his suspension on Monday, when the Orioles host the Red Sox, unless he decides to appeal.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was suspended one game because of the actions by Gonzalez on Sunday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Orioles pitcher Jim Johnson and Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia were each fined an undisclosed amount for aggressive actions during a bench-clearing incident in the eighth inning of Friday's game in Boston.
Red Sox pitcher John Lackey was also hit with a fine for intentionally throwing at Derrek Lee of the Orioles during the top of the seventh inning in Saturday's game in Boston.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)