Morgan, Volstad suspended for brawl

NEW YORK, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball suspended five players, both managers and a coach Friday for their actions in a brawl-marred Washington-Florida game.

Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan, already under the spotlight for three earlier incidents, was given the longest suspension, eight games. Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad will be out for six games.

Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia was given a five-game suspension for fighting, first baseman Gaby Sanchez was suspended three games and relief pitcher Jose Veras was fined.

Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten was suspended three games for throwing a pitch at Sanchez in the bottom of the seventh after warnings had been issued.

Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman was suspended two games and fined for his aggressive actions during the fight. Marlins Manager Edwin Rodriguez was suspended for one game and fined.

Nationals third-base coach Pat Listach was suspended three games and fined. To avoid overlapping with the suspension of Riggleman, Listach's suspension will begin Sunday.

The players' suspensions were to begin Friday, unless appealed, with the exception of Sanabia, whose suspension is to begin Wednesday, pending appeal, to avoid overlapping with Volstad's scheduled suspension. If any players choose to appeal, their discipline will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.

Wednesday's melee was portended in the fourth inning when Morgan was hit by a pitch, then stole two bases despite a 14-3 Florida lead, a tactic frowned upon in baseball. On his next trip to the plate in the sixth, Volstad threw a pitch behind Morgan, who slammed down his bat and charged the mound.

Volstad threw his glove down and Morgan appeared to punch the pitcher in the neck. Sanchez then raced in and hit Morgan, who immediately fell to the ground. Both teams' benches emptied and players scuffled near the mound, and then Listach piled on top of Volstad.

Morgan was ejected by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson. Upon leaving the field with the front of his jersey unbuttoned, Morgan motioned to the crowd and banged his chest with his fist.

Volstad also was tossed as were Rodriguez and Veras.

The discipline for Morgan is in addition to a seven-game suspension and undisclosed fine he was issued for inappropriate actions in an Aug. 21 game at Philadelphia when he intentionally threw a ball into the seats. That suspension is under appeal.

In an Aug. 28 incident, Morgan unnecessarily ran into St. Louis Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson in the bottom of the eighth inning while scoring a run. Three days later in Miami, Morgan directed inappropriate comments toward fans during the 10th inning after a home-plate collision with Marlins catcher Brett Hayes, who suffered a separated left shoulder.