Injured Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount Friday for violating the terms of a previous penalty imposed by Major League Baseball.
Gagne, who has been on the disabled list and hasn’t pitched this season, was ejected April 6. During the fifth inning of the Dodgers’ game at San Francisco, he apparently heckled home plate umpire Bill Hohn about balls and strikes from the dugout, breaking rule 3.17 of the MLB rule book, which states that “players on the disabled list . . . may not take part in any activity during the game such as warming up a pitcher, bench jockeying, etc.”
The Dodgers’ right-hander then was directed not to be in uniform on the Dodgers’ bench or in their bullpen during games while on the DL. Violation of that stipulation led to the suspension.
“It’s kind of weird,” he said. “That’s a first. They don’t know the rules anymore. I’ve heard a lot of different rules.”
“I didn’t do anything that bad. Some of the guys in that fight (Boston-Tampa Bay) got suspended for two games.”
His suspension will begin after he is activated from the DL.
Extra innings
The Brewers placed right-hander Ben Sheets on the 15-day DL because of inflammation of the inner ear. . . . Jose Guillen’s $4 million option for 2006 was exercised by the Nationals, his seventh team. “Hopefully this is my last stop,” he said. . . . The Braves’ Tim Hudson lost for the third time in 100 career starts (77-3) when provided with at least four runs. . . . San Francisco’s Jason Ellison had three consecutive hits Friday, giving him eight in a row over four games. The last Giant to hit eight straight was pitcher Livan Hernandez in August ’01.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
New York 1 at Washington 5
W: Hernandez (3-2)
L: Seo (1-1)
S: Cordero (5)
Livan Hernandez worked 8 innings and hit 1 of Nationals’ 3 solo HRs. Cliff Floyd (2-for-4) extended hit streak to 15 games, Mets record for April. Mets’ Jae Seo allowed just 3 hits–all HRs.
Florida 6 at Philadelphia 4
W: Burnett (3-1)
L: Wolf (1-3)
S: Jones (1)
Juan Encarnacion hit triple, HR for 3 RBIs and Miguel Cabrera went 4-for-5 with 3 doubles for Florida, which has won 8 of 10. Phillies have lost 5 of 7. Florida has won 27 of last 37 vs. Phillies.
San Francisco 3 at Pittsburgh 2
W: Tomko (2-3)
L: Redman (1-2)
Mike Matheny hit tiebreaking HR in 6th to pick up Brett Tomko, who shook off 2-run 4th in which Pirates got 3 of their 4 hits. He won his 2nd in row after 0-3 start, pitching his 10th career CG.
St. Louis 6 at Atlanta 5
W: Mulder (3-1)
L: Hudson (2-1)
S: Reyes (1)
Al Reyes recorded game’s final out for his 1st save since 2001, with Dodgers. Albert Pujols’ 2-run HR in 5th carried Cards to victory. He’s hitting .386 with 6 HRs in career at Atlanta’s Turner Field.
Cincinnati 3 at Milwaukee 4
W: Glover (2-1)
L: Claussen (1-2)
S: Turnbow (3)
Despite playing with 12 stitches on left side of jaw and chipped tooth from Tuesday injury, Brewers’ Lyle Overbay hit 3-run HR in 1st and solo shot in 3rd–1st mulithomer game of career.
Arizona at San Diego, late
Starters: Webb (3-0) vs. Peavy (2-0)
Padres leadoff hitter Dave Roberts 1-for-18 lifetime vs. Arizona’s Brandon Webb. San Diego starter Jake Peavy has allowed just 4 runs in 4 starts. He’s walked 5 and struck out 34 in 27 2/3 IP.
Colorado at Los Angeles, late
Starters: Jennings (1-2) Vs. Perez (3-1)
Rockies 1-7 on road. Jeff Kent 6-for-12 (.500) with double and HR vs. Rockies this year. Odalis Perez gave up 8 runs in 5 IP in Colorado in last start. Dodgers SS Cesar Izturis on 10-game hit streak.
