Sheffield, Carmona suspended for part in brawl

Sep 22, 2008 - 9:22 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield and Cleveland Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona were both suspended by Major League Baseball on Monday for their part in Friday's brawl.

Sheffield received a four-game suspension, while Carmona was suspended for six contests.

Indians catcher Victor Martinez and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera each were tagged with a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for their actions during the incident.

A fight broke out between the Tigers and Indians during the seventh inning of Cleveland's 6-5 victory on Friday night after an odd encounter between Sheffield and Carmona.

With Sheffield on first after being hit by a pitch and Brandon Inge at the plate, Carmona made a throw to first base. Afterward, Sheffield appeared to yell at Carmona, telling him to throw a pitch instead, and the righthander responded with words of his own.

Sheffield proceeded to run toward the mound and lunged at Carmona as the benches and bullpens cleared.

Carmona appeared to unload a few punches as players from both teams crowded around the pair before they eventually were separated. The brawl lasted for several minutes, with minor

scuffles breaking out between other players.

Both Sheffield and Carmona, as well as Martinez and Detroit second baseman Placido Polanco, were ejected from the game.

Unless appealed Sheffield, Carmona and Martinez will begin their suspensions on Monday, while Cabrera is scheduled to start his ban Thursday.