MLB suspends Padres pitcher Marinaccio three games for hit

Major League Baseball has suspended San Diego Padres reliever Ron Marinaccio for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally hitting Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson with a pitch. The incident occurred during the ninth inning of the Padres' 9-3 victory over the Orioles on Saturday, June 13, in Baltimore.

Michael Hill, MLB's senior vice president for on-field operations, determined the pitch was intentional. Padres manager Craig Stammen also received a one-game suspension and a fine for his actions during the same play. Stammen served his suspension on Monday, June 15, as the Padres visited the St. Louis Cardinals. Marinaccio has chosen to appeal the decision, making him eligible to play until the appeal process is complete.

The pitch, a 94 mph fastball that struck Henderson in the waist with two outs in the ninth inning, triggered an immediate ejection for Marinaccio and a bench-clearing incident. Stammen was also ejected for arguing the call. Both Marinaccio and Stammen maintained the pitch was not intentional. Marinaccio stated he was trying to make a good hitter uncomfortable and that the fastball simply got away from him.