Angels' Torii Hunter, Yankees' Ivan Rodriguez suspended two games
ANGELS FYI
Baseball official in charge of discipline cites both players for "violent and inappropriate actions" during incident in Monday's game in Anaheim.
The Angels' Torii Hunter and the New York Yankees' Ivan Rodriguez were handed a two-game suspensions today for what Bob Watson, baseball's top disciplinarian, called "violent and inappropriate actions" in a fight during Monday's game.
It was not immediately clear whether either player would appeal, but both are injured anyway. Hunter left Tuesday's game because of a quadriceps injury, and Rodriguez did not play because of a sore neck.
Hunter, Rodriguez and Angels pitcher John Lackey also were fined an undisclosed amount. Lackey charged onto the field as benches cleared after the incident between Hunter and Rodriguez. Lackey was not ejected, but Hunter and Rodriguez were.
Tempers flared after Hunter, running from third base with no chance to score, slowed up but nonetheless shoved his forearms into Rodriguez, the Yankees' catcher. Hunter then tripped over a bat and rolled toward Rodriguez, who tried to move away from Hunter by elbowing him.
Hunter responded by shoving Rodriguez from behind, with two hands, and Rodriguez answered with a swing--and a miss--with an open fist. Hunter and Rodriguez met after the game, and each said there would be no lingering animosity.
bill.shaikin@latimes.com
