Ryan Dempster Suspended 5 Games for Hitting A-Rod

A five-game suspension and a fine have been given to Red Sox starting pitcher Ryan Dempster for hitting Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez inSunday night’s contest. Major League Baseball ruled Dempsterintentionally hit Rodriguez with a 92-mph fastball on a 3-0 count in the topof the second inning. Later in the game, Rodriguez evened the scorewith Dempster when he blasted a home run off of the Red Sox starter todead center field at Fenway Park.

MLB has not released the amount of the fine, but per MLB rulesDempster could appeal the suspension and play until the appeal isdecided. However, if Dempster chooses to serve the suspension it wouldonly cost him one start. 

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, who argued passionately with the umpire and was tossedfrom the game after Rodriguez was hit, was also fined. Such a punitiveaction is automatic when a player or coach is thrown out of the game.