Fielder apologizes for blowup, in lineup vs. Reds

Aug 5, 2008 - 10:31 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- A day after a brief dugout scuffle with pitcher Manny Parra, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder apologized prior to Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, attributing his frustration to his team's losing streak.

The incident took place in the seventh inning of Monday's series-opening 6-3 loss, the Brewers' eighth setback in 11 games. Parra was roughed up for six runs and four hits in six innings, and the altercation was sparked when he reacted poorly to being removed for a pinch-hitter.

Fielder and Parra had words as they walked side-by-side in the dugout, and the lefthander snatched his warm-up jacket from the bench, which inadvertently hit the 5-11, 270-pound Fielder in the head. An infuriated Fielder shoved Parra twice before being restrained by several teammates.

Fielder was remorseful but attributed the incident more to a will to win than anger.

"That's just something that happened in the moment," said Fielder, who is in his customary cleanup spot for Tuesday's game. "I can't take it back. I could have handled it better. But I don't apologize for the full meaning behind it and the fire."

Fielder said he had yet to sit down and talk with Parra about the altercation but indicated he planned to do so.

"Things happen," he said. "We're not in middle school. We should be able to get over it."

For his part, Parra apologized on Monday and said the issue was over.

Meanwhile, manager Ned Yost attributed the incident to "competitive issues" rather than an anger problem, noting that there will not be any disciplinary action.

"Non-hustle, being late, disrespecting the game in terms of hot dog, no hustling, those types of things (will get you suspended)," Yost said. "It's over. We're handling it in our own way. We're past all this. I know what happened. I know the issue.

"They had a disagreement or misunderstanding. It's not anything that's going to linger or continue. Prince has apologized, and we've talked to Manny."