Posted at 12:07 p.m., Friday, August 10, 2007
Baseball: Yankees' Clemens won't appeal suspension
Associated Press
CLEVELAND — Roger Clemens declined to appeal his five-game suspension and started serving the penalty when the New York Yankees played Cleveland tonight.The suspension and a $1,500 fine were imposed Thursday by Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson after Clemens hit Toronto's Alex Rios with a pitch this week. Yankees manager Joe Torre was to serve his one-game suspension in Friday's series opener.
The Blue Jays' Jesse Litsch threw behind Alex Rodriguez's legs in Monday's opener and Josh Towers hit A-Rod on his calf with a pitch in the third inning Tuesday.
The benches and bullpens emptied twice, but no punches were thrown. Clemens then hit Rios in the middle of his back in the seventh inning. Clemens and Torre immediately were ejected.
Rodriguez was fined $1,000 and Torre $750, while Yankees coaches Larry Bowa and Tony Pena were fined $500 each. Toronto's Matt Stairs, Blue Jays coach Brian Butterfield and Towers also were fined.
Toronto's anger seemed to stem from the May 30 game, when Rodriguez yelled to distract third baseman Howie Clark during a late-inning popup.
