Strickland, Harper handed MLB suspensions

May 31, 2017 - 12:01 AM San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland has received a six-game Major League Baseball suspension while Washington's Bryce Harper was banned for four matches for their roles in an all-in brawl.

Both players were also fined an undisclosed amount, the MLB announced on Tuesday.

MLB said the players planned to appeal so the suspensions won't begin before Tuesday night's game between the clubs.

Strickland hit Harper in the hip with a pitch in the eighth inning and the Washington slugger charged the mound, wildly firing his helmet and trading punches to the head with Strickland during the Nationals' 3-0 win on Monday over San Francisco.

Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre's said in his explanation of the disciplinary decisions Strickland had intentionally hit Harper with a pitch, inciting the bench-clearing incident and fighting.

Her added Harper's suspension came "for charging the mound, throwing his helmet and fighting."

The two players' bad blood stems from a pair of home runs Harper hit off Strickland in the 2014 playoffs, when the Giants went on to capture their third World Series championship in five years.

Washington led 2-0 with two outs in the eighth inning and none on when Strickland drilled Harper on the first pitch - a 98 mph fastball. Harper immediately pointed his bat at Strickland, yelled at him and took off.

Harper flung his helmet and they began throwing punches, with the 6-foot-4 Strickland clocking Harper in the face. They then broke apart for a moment before squaring off again. Harper punched Strickland in the head as the benches and bullpens joined in.

Source: AAP