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Morgan gets eight games, Volstad six after Nats/Marlins brawl

Fri 3rd, September 2010

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan was suspended for eight games and Florida Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad was given a six-game penalty for their roles in Wednesday's benches-clearing incident.

Morgan's stiff penalty, as well as an undisclosed fine, is also the result of actions in previous games.

On August 28, Morgan unnecessarily ran into St. Louis Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson in the bottom of the eighth inning while scoring a run. On August 31 in Miami, Morgan directed inappropriate comments toward the fans during the 10th inning, in the wake of a home-plate collision with Marlins catcher Brett Hayes, who suffered a separated left shoulder as the result of the play.

Things then got ugly on September 1. After Morgan was hit with a pitch and took his base in the fourth inning, he proceeded to steal a pair of bases despite a 14-3 Florida lead. 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 connect with a left hand to the pitcher's neck. Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez then raced in and delivered a hit to Morgan, who immediately tumbled to the ground. Players for both teams scuffled near the mound and then Pat Listach, the third base coach for the Nationals, joined the fray by piling on 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 was also ejected as were Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez and relief pitcher Jose Veras.

The discipline for Morgan is in addition to the seven-game suspension and undisclosed fine he was issued for inappropriate actions in an August 21 game at Philadelphia when he intentionally threw a ball into the seats. Morgan appealed the suspension, issued on August 25, and that discipline is being held in abeyance until the process is complete.

In addition to Morgan and Volstad, Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia was hit with a five-game suspension for fighting and Sanchez was suspended three games for his role in the incident. 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.

The suspensions of all players are scheduled to begin Friday, unless appealed, with the exception of Sanabia, whose suspension is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, pending appeal, in order 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.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman was suspended two games and fined for his aggressive actions during the fight, while Rodriguez was also hit with a one- game penalty and a fine.

Listach was suspended three games and fined. In order to avoid overlapping with the suspension of Riggleman, Listach's suspension will be scheduled to begin on Sunday.