Nyjer Morgan Suspended Eight Total Games For Role In Brawl, Other Incidents

Nyjer Morgan's Eight-Game Suspension Upheld; Seven-Game Suspension Rescinded

As we speculated earlier, we can now confirm the nature of Nyjer Morgan's suspension. The seven-game suspension he earned for throwing a ball at a fan in Philadelphia was dropped, presumably due to evidence clearing Morgan of malicious intent. His eight-game suspension for the later chain of episodes, culminating in a bench-clearing brawl in Florida, was upheld. This is the suspension he will begin serving on Friday.

Morgan was also fined for his actions.

Nyjer Morgan To Begin Serving Eight-Game Suspension On Friday

First, Nyjer Morgan was suspended seven games for throwing a ball into the stands that hit a fan. Then, Nyjer Morgan was suspended eight additional games for his role in a bench-clearing brawl with the Marlins, among other incidents. Morgan appealed his suspensions, though, and the results are in: after further review, Morgan will be suspended for a total of...eight games.

Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan will be suspended for eight games starting Friday, according to a baseball source. He will start the eight-game suspension on Friday. He is expected to return to action on Sept. 25 against the Braves at Nationals Park.

It's unclear why Morgan's initial 15-game total penalty was cut nearly in half, but one possible reason is that Major League Baseball dismissed his first suspension entirely when presented with evidence that Morgan didn't intend to hit a fan.

Whatever the case, what's done is done, and Morgan'll get to play the role of spectator for just over a week. Which is better than the two weeks he was looking at before.

Nyjer Morgan Less Than Thrilled With 8-Game Suspension

This is what everyone wanted, right? To see how Nyjer Morgan responded to his most recent suspension? Well, wait no longer. Here you go, baby birds.

And more:

More from #Nats CF Nyjer Morgan: "What did I do? I feel I haven’t done anything. They are blowing this way out of proportion because I’m a hard-nosed player -- because I knocked over a catcher. They throw the ball at me. Come on, what am I supposed to do?"

It's difficult to see Morgan as a victim in all this, but one could certainly argue that each incident should be seen in isolation rather than as one of a series, as the latter reduces the willingness to give him the benefit of the doubt. One could probably give reasonable explanations for each of the incidents that took place, and it was only the fact that they all happened so close to one another that led to Morgan facing a 15-game vacation.

Chris Volstad, Others Also Suspended For Role In Bench-Clearing Brawl

Nyjer Morgan (eight games) and Pat Listach (three games) aren't the only people to get suspensions following the brawl between the Nationals and Marlins. The discipline office done been busy.

Chris Volstad gets six games for hitting Morgan and then later throwing behind him. Gaby Sanchez gets three games for running in and clotheslining Morgan in what was really a triumphant maneuver. Doug Slaten gets three games for coming in later and beaning Gaby Sanchez. And Alex Sanabia gets five games for something unclear.

Everybody, of course, is free to appeal.

Nyjer Morgan Suspended 8 Games For Role In Brawl, Other Infractions

You'll all recall that Nyjer Morgan is currently appealing a seven-game suspension handed down after he threw a ball into the stands in Philadelphia, hitting a fan. Why don't we go ahead and make that an even 15?

Rather than laying low following his initial discipline, Morgan proceeded to bowl over two catchers, argue with fans, and take an active role in a bench-clearing brawl between the Nationals and Marlins. Major League Baseball has determined that his actions were sufficiently troublesome to warrant a severe penalty.

Morgan's appeal hearing for his first suspension has been scheduled for next Friday. We'll see what he does about his second one.

Nationals third base coach Pat Listach was suspended three games for his participation in the brawl.

MLB To Hand Down Nyjer Morgan Punishment Friday Following Brawl, Other Incidents

According to the worldwide leader, Nyjer Morgan should find out his fate on Friday:

Major League Baseball is likely to hand down a ruling on a punishment for Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan on Friday, according to sources.

Morgan is already facing a seven-game suspension for throwing a ball into the stands that hit a fan in Philadelphia. He is appealing that suspension, and since then, he has run over two catchers, gotten involved in a few heated conversations with fans, and taken an active role in a bench-clearing brawl against the Marlins. All of these incidents will be considered as Major League Baseball comes up with a punishment, and given Morgan's status now as a repeat offender, he could be facing a suspension several games long, on top of the one he's already received.

Other members of the Nationals and Marlins, including pitcher Chris Volstad, may also face discipline in the form of a suspension or fine.

Nyjer Morgan On Brawl With Marlins: 'I'm Grimey'

After the game, Nyjer Morgan discussed his decision to charge Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad in the sixth inning Wednesday night. The Washington Post has the full quotes from Morgan, but here is what he had to say specifically about Volstad throwing at him a second time (Nyjer had already been beaned earlier in the game):

That was garbage. That’s just bad baseball. It’s only the fourth inning. If they’re not going to hold me on, I’m going to roll out. The circumstances were kind of out of whack, but the game was too early. It was only the fourth inning. If it happened again, I’d do it again. It’s one of those things where I’m a hard-nosed player. I’m grimey. And I just wanted to go out there and try to protect myself. I didn’t want to get outside the box. There’s been a little bit of controversy surrounding the kid lately. But it’s just one of things. I’m a solid, hard-nosed player. When I’m out there between the lines, I’m out there to win and I’m out there to play hard, and play hard for this organization.

What Nyjer is referencing at the start of that quote are the two bases he stole in the fourth inning after being hit. The Nationals were down 11 runs, yet Morgan still stole second and third base. This is presumably what lead to the Marlins throwing at him in his next at-bat.

Right or wrong, Nyjer certainly proved his grimey-ness Wednesday night.

VIDEO: Nationals-Marlins Brawl Plus Post-Game Reactions

Washington center fielder Nyjer Morgan charged the mound and punched Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s 16-10 Florida win. Watch the incident below:

Afterwards, Chris Volsted spoke with reporters and showed off his war wounds:

Marlins’ 3B Wes Helms also voiced his displeasure with Morgan and his “integrity.”

Marlins Clear Nats 16-10 After Both Benches Clear In Brawl

Miami, FL (Sports Network) – Wes Helms drove in five runs and Florida blew out the Nationals, 16-10, in a game marred by a benches-clearing brawl in the sixth inning.

It was during the top of that frame when Washington center fielder Nyjer Morgan charged the mound and punched Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad. Both players were ejected.

Florida was ahead 15-5 with one out in the inning when Volstad threw a pitch behind Morgan, who was hit on the right side by an offering in the fourth frame. The Marlins were ahead 14-3 in the fourth, but Morgan stole second and third base during the inning.

In the sixth, though, Morgan became upset and immediately threw down his bat and charged the mound. Volstad tossed down his glove and Morgan connected with a left to the pitcher’s neck.

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez then raced in and delivered a clothes-line hit to Morgan, who immediately tumbled to the ground. Players for both teams scuffled near the mound and then Pat Listach, the third base coach for the Nationals, joined the fray by piling on Volstad and possibly throwing a punch.

After being ejected by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson and upon leaving the field with the front of his jersey unbuttoned, Morgan motioned to the crowd and banged his chest.

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez and relief pitcher Jose Veras were also ejected.

The harsh feelings continued in the seventh inning when Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten was ejected for plunking Sanchez with a pitch. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman was also shown the door.

Donnie Murphy knocked in three runs for the Marlins, who took the rubber match of this three-game set. Murphy, though, departed the game with a dislocated right wrist.

The result was much different than Tuesday’s 1-0 Marlins win that came in 10 innings on Chad Tracy’s RBI single.

Mike Stanton delivered a two-run homer, while Cameron Maybin and Brad Davis added solo shots.

Ian Desmond ended with three hits and two RBI for Washington.

Nationals starter Scott Olsen (3-8) allowed eight hits and nine runs in 1 2/3 innings and lost his sixth straight start.

Volstad (9-9) yielded nine hits and six runs to win his third consecutive appearance.

VIDEO: Nyjer Morgan Charges Mound, Gets Clotheslined, Walks Off Field Triumphantly

No need for words.

And while I won't slow your browser down any more than I already have, here's the real moneyshot of the thing.

Nationals, Marlins Brawl After Nyjer Morgan Charges Mound

First, some background:

• About a week ago, Nyjer Morgan was suspended for throwing a ball at a fan


• Nyjer Morgan appealed his suspension, and over the weekend, he went out of his way to barrel over Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson at the plate


• Tuesday night, Morgan barreled over Marlins catcher Brett Hayes on a play at the plate instead of sliding


• Later in the game Tuesday night, Morgan got involved in a heated conversation with a fan

Clearly, Morgan was making himself something of a target. Chris Volstad and the Marlins got some retaliation early Wednesday night, when, in the fourth inning - with the score 14-3 Florida - Volstad beaned Morgan on the hip.

Morgan, though, stole second base, and then stole third base, an unusually brash advance for a player on a team down 11. So the next time he came up, in the top of the sixth and with the score 15-5, Volstad threw a pitch behind him.

Morgan looked up calmly at first, but then threw his bat away and charged the mound, throwing a few punches at Volstad before Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez came over and clotheslined the Nationals outfielder down. The benches cleared, and while no further punches were thrown, Morgan exited by shouting profanities at the crowd. He was ejected, along with Volstad, Edwin Rodriguez, and Jose Veras.

Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten was ejected for hitting Gaby Sanchez with a pitch in the seventh, but Sanchez walked to first and Slaten left the field without incident.

Be sure to check out Fish Stripes and Federal Baseball for more coverage. Nyjer Morgan is certainly facing a world of discipline.