Two days after a altercation between the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals that cause both benches to clear, Major League Baseball has handed out a pair of suspensions.
Pitcher Aaron Sanchez has received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from the league for intentionally throwing at short stop Alcides Escobar on a 2-0 pitch in the eight inning during Sunday's game. There were warnings given to both teams before the incident. The suspension will begin tonight unless Sanchez chooses to appeal the suspension. He would play through the appeal until the process is completed. The 23-year-old is 6-4 with a 3.44 ERA this season.
Manager John Gibbons was also suspended one game for coming back out onto the field after being ejected in the seventh inning. In the inning, pitcher Ryan Madson hit shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, which heated up on-deck hitter Jose Bautista. Bautista would have to be held back by Gibbons and Gibbons would argue on his behalf. That would lead to Gibbons' ejection. That suspension will be served tonight while the Blue Jays continue their series against the Minnesota Twins. Bench coach DeMarlo Hale will more then likely make the lineup tonight.
No one from the Royals side was suspended. Right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez threw at third baseman Josh Donaldson which stirred the pot to begin the altercation. Volquez would later admit to throwing at Donaldson and would even call him a "cry baby". Donaldson and Volquez both had to be restrained after the benches had cleared.
The Royals have been apart of some other altercation this year as well. Earlier in the season, the Royals got into an altercation with the Oakland Athletics where five Royals players were ejected. The Royals could soon be pegged as the "dirty" team of the league if they want to keep piling up the rivialries.