Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that the Cubs are right-handed Keegan Thompson was suspended for three games and fined an unknown amount “for intentionally batting”. Andrew McCutchen … with a pitch during the top of the eighth inning of Saturday afternoon’s game at Wrigley Field.”
Chicago coach David Ross was also, as usual, handed a one-game suspension and fined for Thompson’s actions. Ross will serve out his suspension tomorrow afternoon and will miss Chicago’s upcoming game against the Pirates. Thompson’s suspension is also due to take effect tomorrow, but unlike Ross, he has the right to appeal.
The Cubs and Brewers traded hit batsmen on Thursday. Milwaukee’s pitching hit three Cubs players in the early stages of Saturday’s contest. To Milwaukee Trevor God blow Jan Happ, Thompson met McCutchen in a 9-0 game with no one on base. His 1-1 offer was well inside and went to the backstop; In the next spot, Thompson beat the veteran outfielder. The benches cleared, although little more than barbs were exchanged on either side. Home plate umpire Lance Barksdale threw Thompson out.
In the next inning Cubs righty Ethan Roberts met Milwaukee’s Christian Jelich. That pitch was a 1-2 slider but sliced the left-hander in the back foot and Roberts stayed in the game to make the last three outs.