Orioles’ Manny Machado is suspended five games for throwing bat

Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado was at the center of two benches-clearing incidents this weekend.

That probably won’t happen again next weekend -- at least not if the suspension he received as the result of one of the incidents is upheld.

Machado has been fined and suspended for five games for intentionally throwing his bat during an 11-1 loss to Oakland on Sunday.

He appeared to take exception to a tight pitch by the Athletics’ Fernando Abad. Later in the same at bat, Machado swung and missed on an inside pitch, then let go of his bat, which flew in the direction of third base.

The benches and bullpens emptied and Machado and Abad were eventually ejected. Machado said after the game he had simply lost his grip.

“The bat slipped out of my hands,” Machado said. “Trying to make contact and the umpire thought it was intentional and he tossed me at that point. The umpire thought it was intentional, so I guess at that point you’ve got to toss the pitcher and the hitter at the same time.”

Two days earlier, Machado had to be separated from A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson, who apparently tagged him a little too hard.

Machado said he will appeal the decision. He’s in the lineup for the Orioles’ game against Boston on Tuesday.