The Pittsburgh Pirates received a double blow from MLB for intentionally throwing at a Cincinnati Reds batter when both reliever Chris Devenski and manager Don Kelly were suspended.
Devenski received a two-game suspension from MLB for his ejection for intentionally throwing at Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds during the top of the seventh inning of Saturday’s game at PNC Park, while Kelly was suspended for one game.
After Devenski stepped off the rubber and Stewart stepped out of the batter’s box with time left on the pitch clock, Devenski fired a pitch inside that Stewart felt was aimed at his ribs. Devenski was ejected by first base umpire and crew chief Alan Porter.
“After that, he stepped up and he fired the pitch and, we believe, threw it at him intentionally,” Porter said in a pool report. “That’s why we ejected him.”
Both suspensions included undisclosed fines, Michael Hill, MLB’s Senior vice president for on-field operations, announced Tuesday.
Kelly will serve his suspension Tuesday, when the Pirates open a three-game series at the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bench coach Kristopher Negron will serve as manager in Kelly’s place.
Unless he appeals, Devenski is scheduled to begin serving his suspension Tuesday.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect MLB reducing Devenski’s suspension to two games.