Nationals RHP Jonathan Papelbon suspended three games

Nationals right-handed pitcher Jonathan Papelbon was suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Friday.

Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount, Major League Baseball announced on Friday. Papelbon's suspension comes in the wake of hitting Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado with a pitch near his head on Wednesday night.

In the seventh inning of Baltimore's eventual 4–3 victory, Machado hit what proved to be a game-winning, two-run home run off Washington starter Max Scherzer. In his next at-bat in the ninth inning, Machado was plunked on the left shoulder with Papelbon's 1–1 pitch with two outs and no one on base. Papelbon was immediately ejected from the game following the hit by pitch.

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“When you throw at somebody's head on purpose first pitch, straight out the get-go, then you throw a curveball, then you throw again at the head, that's just ... ,” Machado said after the game, using an expletive. “You know it's coward stuff. It's just coward.”

The Nationals said Papelbon will appeal his suspension.

You can watch Papelbon's plunking of Machado below:

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