Strawberry, Risley Suspended

The Yankees' Darryl Strawberry was suspended for three games and Toronto's Bill Risley was banned for two because of their actions in a near-brawl last Friday.

Both suspensions were scheduled to start Wednesday. Strawberry said Monday night at Yankee Stadium that he would not appeal.

After Roger Clemens of the Blue Jays allowed a game-tying sacrifice fly, he hit Scott Brosius in the back with his next pitch. Yankees starter Hideki Irabu hit Shannon Stewart in the elbow with his first pitch the next inning.

Both benches emptied and Strawberry threw a wild punch that didn't connect.

"I wasn't doing anything until somebody grabbed me and pulled me down," Strawberry said before Monday night's game against the Boston Red Sox. "I've got to defend myself in that situation."

Strawberry also was suspended for three games earlier this season for his part in a May 19 brawl with the Baltimore Orioles. He said he anticipated some kind of punishment this time as well.

"Obviously, anytime you get into a fight you expect some kind of fine and suspension," he said.

Yankees manager Joe Torre was ejected after Brosius was hit, complaining to the crew of umpire Rich Garcia that Clemens should have been warned.

After Stewart was hit and the benches emptied, Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer was ejected along with New York reserve infielder Homer Bush, Toronto manager Tim Johnson and Risley.

"The American League was represented on the field by one its best and most experienced umpiring crews," AL president Gene Budig said Monday. "Discipline was determined with great regard for the reports that were filed with league office and with the utmost respect for the decisions and professionalism of the crew that worked the game."

Strawberry was fined $1,000 and Bush $300. The amounts of the fines to Risley, Johnson and Zimmer was not immediately kown.

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