MILWAUKEE (AP) -Brewers reliever Seth McClung was suspended for three games and Milwaukee manager Ned Yost for one after the commissioner’s office concluded Thursday the pitcher intentionally hit the Cardinals’ Albert Pujols with a pitch a night earlier after a warning had been issued.
Yost was to serve his suspension during Milwaukee’s game Thursday night against San Diego. Bench coach Dale Sveum was managing the team in his place. McClung appealed his suspension and said he will have a hearing before Friday’s game.
He said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa’s comments should be considered.
“I think the three games is real harsh,” McClung said. “Tony said I didn’t do it on purpose publicly. Albert said I didn’t do it on purpose publicly. I said I didn’t do it on purpose publicly.”
Milwaukee began Thursday two games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central with four to play.
Umpires warned the teams after Prince Fielder was hit by St. Louis starter Brad Thompson in the second inning, apparent retaliation for a high, inside pitch Pujols saw the night before from Brewers starter Jeff Suppan. Fielder, who didn’t talk after Wednesday’s game, said Thursday he felt the Cardinals were throwing at him.
“These kids need to know at a time like this their manager is behind them,” said Yost, who has been ejected from three of the last four games and six total this season.
With the Brewers trailing 3-2 in the eighth, McClung threw the ball behind Pujols, clipping the Cardinals slugger on the right elbow. St. Louis went on to score four runs in the inning and won the game 7-3.
Bob Watson, baseball vice president in charge of discipline, also said both Yost and McClung were fined.
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