Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was suspended seven games on Friday for sparking the first of three bench-clearing brawls in Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees.
It was just one of the punishments handed down by Major League Baseball, and announced by chief baseball officer Joe Torre, a day after the ill-tempered contest in Detroit.
Cabrera shoved Yankees catcher Austin Romine and threw punches at him in the sixth inning as the benches cleared for the first time. Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez and Tigers relief pitcher Alex Wilson were both suspended for four games, Sanchez for throwing several punches. Wilson’s penalty was for intentionally throwing a pitch at New York’s Todd Frazier after warnings were in place for both sides. Romine received a two-game suspension for his actions, which included throwing punches at Cabrera.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was suspended for one game due to Wilson’s action while a warning was in place. Cabrera, Sanchez, Wilson, Romine and Ausmus were also fined, as were Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson, Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and Yankees pitcher Tommy Kahnle.
Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias also was fined. Two injured New York players, first baseman Garrett Cooper and outfielder Clint Frazier, were fined for entering the field while being on the disabled list.