Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said after a July 8 brawl with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park that “It’s over. It’s over.” Not yet.
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that Ortiz and Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg have received four-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their roles in the melee.
During Ortiz’s eighth-inning at-bat with one out and Josh Reddick at third base, Gregg threw three straight inside fastballs and on the third one, Ortiz started walking toward the mound, pointing at the pitcher. The benches and bullpens emptied, but the situation was brought under control and play resumed.
On the ensuing pitch, Ortiz popped out to shallow center field, and when he started down the first-base line, Gregg began pointing and yelling at him. Ortiz charged Gregg and the two began throwing punches. The benches and bullpens emptied again.
“This is a guy that I always face and he never pitches in,” Ortiz said the next day. “He throws a whole bunch of pitches inside, and I’m quite sure he was trying to hit me, no question about that.”
Gregg’s complaint was that Ortiz swung and hit a 3-0 pitch with the Red Sox leading by seven runs, and that Boston’s designated hitter didn’t run it out.
“After I hit the fly ball, he started screaming at me,” Ortiz said. “I ain’t gonna take that like a little b—-, you know what I’m saying? Everybody’s a grown[up] man here, and you gotta be aware of the situation.
“I mean, you saw the argument before, and after that you’re gonna act like you’re my daddy? I ain’t gonna take that. That ain’t me, though. I haven’t fought since I was in kindergarten.”
Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount by the league for throwing at Ortiz in the sixth inning of the July 10 game. Warnings had been issued earlier in that contest. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter received a one-game ban and a fine for his role in that game.
Orioles pitcher Jim Johnson and Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia were fined for their aggressive actions during the bench clearing brawl.
Red Sox pitcher John Lackey was fined for intentionally throwing at Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee during the Saturday, July 9 game.
Unless they appeal, Gregg is supposed to start serving his suspension Thursday, Ortiz Friday and Gonzalez Monday when the Orioles are scheduled to host the Red Sox. Showalter can’t appeal and will sit Thursday against Cleveland.
WRITTEN BY ESPNBoston.com’s Joe McDonald and Darren Hartwell contributed to this report & FULL STORY HERE
