Red Sox’s Matt Barnes Suspended Four Games For Throwing Near Manny Machado’s Head
Boston Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes has been suspended four games and fined an undisclosed amount for throwing near the head of Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney and media reports.
The incident occurred in the eighth inning of Sunday’s Red Sox vs. Orioles matchup, which prompted the Boston relief pitcher to be ejected from the contest.
Matt Barnes throws at Manny Machado for spiking Pedroia on Friday pic.twitter.com/X70Fb3KvgD
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) April 23, 2017
The errant pitch was believed by many to be intentional in the aftermath of Machado’s spiking of Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
The Orioles third baseman injured Pedroia’s knee with a harsh slide into second base in the eighth inning of Friday’s game and Pedroia has been sidelined ever since.
Though Barnes’ pitch looked like a retaliation attempt, the Boston relief pitcher vehemently denied intent.
Barnes: "I would never intentionally throw at somebody's head. That's a line you don't cross. He has every right to be mad."
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) April 23, 2017
The suspension is set to begin Tuesday when the Red Sox host the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, but Barnes reportedly has appealed the suspension.
Here’s the release from MLB: pic.twitter.com/u9PEq7Epqm
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) April 24, 2017
Eduardo Rodriguez, who was the Red Sox starter Sunday, appears to have avoided discipline.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
