DETROIT– Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello has been suspended for six games and slapped with an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at the Tampa Bay Rays’ Ben Zobrist in the bottom of the first inning of Sunday’s game at Tropicana Field. Porcello will appeal the suspension.
Porcello’s actions on Sunday were in retaliation for Rays’ reliever Fernando Rodney throwing near Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera’s head during Saturday’s game. Cabrera was visibly angered by the pitch and was seen yelling in disgust toward the Tampa Bay bench from the Tigers dugout. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after Saturday’s game, “To throw up there in that area (the head) is not acceptable. Somebody pays a price for that throughout baseball. That’s the way baseball is.”
The very next day, Porcello hit the Ray’s third batter of the game, Zobrist, in the arm.
