Pujols Is Suspended Two Games for Padre Fight

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount by major league baseball for fighting after being hit by a pitch by Adam Eaton during a July 13 game against the San Diego Padres.

Padre catcher Gary Bennett and Manager Bruce Bochy were fined for their roles in the bench-clearing brawl during the Cardinals’ 3-1 victory.

In the first inning, Pujols was hit in the shoulder blade on the first pitch he saw from Eaton, a day after Pujols lingered at the plate following a game-winning home run.

Eaton was immediately ejected, and Pujols, Bennett and Bochy also were kicked out. During a brief confrontation, Pujols punched Bennett in the face.

Pujols appealed his suspension, allowing him to play Friday night against Pittsburgh. Through Thursday, he led the majors in batting at .373, and he ranked second in the National League in homers (29) and RBIs (92).

Bennett was fined for acting aggressively toward Pujols, and Bochy was penalized for what he said to umpire Mark Carlson.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates determined reliever Brandon Lyon has an injured elbow and are deciding what to do after acquiring the reliever from the Boston Red Sox.

Lyon sat out both games of a series this week in Cincinnati to have medical tests in Pittsburgh. The Pirates say he has a frayed ligament in his right elbow.

The Pirates were told by the Red Sox there was no problem with Lyon’s arm when the trade was made Tuesday. If the Pirates decide Lyon is not healthy enough to complete the trade, they could seek another player.

The Pirates acquired Lyon and minor league pitcher Anastacio Martinez from the Red Sox for left-hander Scott Sauerbeck, minor league reliever Mike Gonzalez and cash.

Sauerbeck was the Pirates’ top left-hander out of the bullpen, while Gonzalez was considered one of the team’s top 10 prospects going into the season. Martinez is regarded by scouts as a marginal prospect.

Because of Lyon’s uncertain status, the Pirates went into their four-game series in St. Louis without two relievers. They have been carrying an extra catcher, Humberto Cota, in case Jason Kendall’s appeal of a suspension was not upheld.

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Third baseman Jeff Cirillo was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Seattle Mariners because of a partially dislocated right shoulder.

Cirillo, who has gone hitless in his last 21 at-bats, has been struggling with his shoulder since before the All-Star break, General Manager Pat Gillick said.

Catcher Pat Borders was recalled from triple-A Tacoma to take Cirillo’s spot on the roster.

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Eric Wedge was given two more years to help turn around his young team when the Cleveland Indians exercised club options through 2006 on their first-year manager.

The 35-year-old Wedge, the youngest manager in the majors, has led the Indians to a 42-60 record.

Wedge signed a two-year deal with the Indians last October, but General Manager Mark Shapiro rewarded him by picking up options for 2005 and 2006 and adding club options for 2007 and 2008.

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Outfielder Bobby Higginson, who has been sidelined with a pulled left hamstring since June 29, was taken off the 15-day disabled list by the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers put catcher A.J. Hinch, who has a groin injury, on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 18.

Hinch was hurt July 17 at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field and has been unable to play since.

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First baseman Scott Hatteberg has signed a two-year contract extension with the Oakland Athletics. The deal runs through 2005 and includes a club option for 2006.

Hatteberg is hitting .258 with seven homers and 43 RBIs this season. He is hitting .384 with runners in scoring position, seventh-best in the majors.

Hatteberg, who signed with the A’s as a free agent before last season, has started 82 of Oakland’s 101 games at first base.

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The Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority is ignoring opposition from Arlington County and continuing to consider three county sites for a potential 40,000-seat stadium.

The authority, a state agency that receives its funding from a private group of investors seeking ownership of a major league franchise, met Thursday night to evaluate its options after the Arlington County Board told the authority last week it will oppose efforts to put a stadium in the county.

Northern Virginia is competing with Washington and Portland, Ore., for the Montreal Expos, the financially troubled franchise that was taken over by the other 29 teams.