MLB suspends eight in Rays-Red Sox melee

Jun 6, 2008 - 10:29 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp and Tampa Bay Rays righthander James Shields were among a group of eight members of the American League East clubs who were suspended by Major League Baseball for their roles in the incidents that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday at Fenway Park in Boston.

Crisp received a seven-game suspension for charging the mound, fighting and inciting the bench-clearing melee during Thursday night's game. The 28-year-old is appealing the suspension and is in the Red Sox's starting lineup Friday against the Seattle Mariners.

Also suspended from the Red Sox were lefthander Jon Lester, who was banned five games for intentionally throwing at a Tampa Bay batter after a warning had been issued, and first baseman Sean Casey, who was given a three-game suspension for fighting. Lester opted not to appeal and will begin serving the suspension Friday, while Casey's appeal is pending since his three-game suspension doesn't begin until June 14.

Shields was suspended six games for fighting and for actions that escalated the bench-clearing incident. Outfielder Jonny Gomes and righthander Edwin Jackson of the Rays each were suspended five games for fighting, while outfielder Carl Crawford was suspended four games and second baseman Akinori Iwamura three for the same reason.

In addition to the suspensions, all eight players were fined undisclosed amounts.