Braves rookie Jose Ramirez suspended 3 games for throwing at Marlins' Fernandez
Major League Baseball suspended Atlanta Braves reliever Jose Ramirez three games for his role in the team's bench-clearing standoff with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.
The rookie right-hander will appeal the decision.
Ramirez's role in the incident came after both teams hit batters in Miami's 7-5 win when he threw a 94-mph fastball behind the head of Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. Though the pitch did not hit Fernandez, it drew an immediate reaction before both teams converged near home plate.
Ramirez was ejected from the game without warnings being issued to either dugout.
It was just the latest incident between the two National League East rivals, particularly with Fernandez on the mound. Though Braves manager Brian Snitker balked on saying Wednesday's incident was a carryover from a heated July series, Atlanta's track record when facing Fernandez is well-documented:
The 24-year-old superstar was infamously met at home plate by former Braves catcher Brian McCann after hitting his first career home run in 2013. McCann and Chris Johnson, who is now Fernandez's teammate in Miami, took exception to how Fernandez admired his shot off Mike Minor. Benches cleared in that game, too.
Ramirez has, at times, been an effective bullpen piece for Snitker's club. The 26-year-old owns a 10.13 strikeout rate and 3.38 ERA in 26 2/3 innings pitched.
