Porcello, Youkilis Suspensions Uneven

I was a little surprised, well not too surprised, that Kevin Youkilis only got 5 games for his part in yesterday's Boston-Detroit brawl. But I was more surprised Rick Porcello got the same amount. Granted a pitcher's 5 game suspension is NOT the same as an every day player. But as far as I know Porcello did not admit any intent and he certainly didn't act as if it were intentional once the ball hit Youkilis. Yes, he fought, but he has to protect himself.

And what fantasy is the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy thinking of:

The kid righty was backpedaling when a sprinting Youk flung his helmet at him, then wrapped him up and wrestled him to the ground like a baby calf.

That was Porcello making a nice move and taking Youkilis down. Shaughnessy also goes on to say the brawl kick started the Red Sox. Perhaps that's because Porcello was no longer on the mound.

And just for the record, this,

is much worse and much more unsportsmanlike than this,


Suck it Boston!

Hissy Fit in Fenway

"I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out" - Rodney Dangerfield

Theatrics broke out in Fenway Park last night as the teams went at in a bench clearing brawl. A little background first though. Monday night Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny nailed the Tigers' best hitter, 1st baseman Miguel Cabrera on his left, thankfully, padded elbow. Later in the game, Edwin Jackson hit the Red Sox best hitter, Kevin Youkilis in apparent retaliation. Youkilis wasn't pleased, but went to 1st base.

Last night, Red Sox starter Junichi Tazawa hit Cabrera again, this time on the hand. It was clearly unintentional as the pitch was nearly over the plate and Cabrera's hands tend to be in the strike zone. But after Cabrera had to leave the game during his next at-bat, Tigers starter Rick Porcello nailed Youkilis in the back. There would be no direct path to 1st base this time. Youkilis charged at the perplexed Porcello, who seemed to be putting on a good act of playing innocent.

Porcello at first retreated, but Youkilis flipped his helmet at the pitcher and then tried to tackle him. But Porcello side stepped the charging bull and threw him to the ground like a rag doll (or Don Zimmer).

Both players were obviously ejected and will faces fines and suspensions, especially Youkilis, not only for charging the mound, but for using his helmet as a weapon (thank God he didn't use sex as a weapon).