NEW YORK, July 25 (UPI) -- Leftfielder Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals was among three players suspended by Major League Baseball on Friday.
He was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for fighting and inciting the bench-clearing incident in a game between the Cardinals and San Diego on July 13.
The fight came after Pujols was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat less than 24 hours after his game-wining home run the night before. He and San Diego catcher Gary Bennett had a few words, at which time Pujols shoved Bennett. That led to both benches being cleared.
Unless he appeals, his suspension begins Friday, when the Cardinals host Pittsburgh.
Bennett and San Diego Manager Bruce Bochy each were fined an undisclosed amount for their actions during the incident, Bennett for his aggressive actions toward Pujols, and Bochy was fined for inappropriate comments directed at umpire Mark Carlson.
Pujols is having an MVP-like season, batting .373 with 29 home runs and 92 RBI.
