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.standard.jpg "Barrett punshes Pierzynski")
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NEW YORK - Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett was suspended for 10 games and White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson five games for a bench-clearing brawl that led to four ejections.
Barrett, who punched White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski to ignite the melee, and Anderson also were fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Friday.
White Sox third base coach Joey Cora was suspended two games and fined, while Pierzynski was fined for the incident during the interleague game on Saturday.
Barrett immediately filed an appeal and was in the lineup for Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field in Chicago. He said he hoped to have the number of games reduced.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve never been really been in a situation like this,” Barrett said. “I tried to prepare myself for the worst-case scenario and obviously hope for the best and just try at this point to take whatever comes next.”
Barrett wasn’t specific about the basis for his appeal, and said he didn’t know a timetable for hearing it.
“I don’t know what is going to happen. I’m just anxious to put this behind me and move on,” he said.
Cubs manager Dusty Baker said Barrett’s penalty was a “little harsh.”
“We knew it would be something. We were hoping it wasn’t going to be that many days,” Baker said.
Was Baker surprised Pierzynski didn’t get a suspension?
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Baker said he was next to Cora and actually pulled Cora out of the melee, but wasn’t sure what he had done to get the suspension.
In the second inning, Pierzynski knocked Barrett over at home plate before the throw arrived and slapped the plate after the collision as the ball got away. Barrett then punched Pierzynski.
Anderson, who hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to score Pierzynski, got into a fight with Cubs first baseman John Mabry. Mabry injured his ribs in the commotion and was taken to a hospital for X-rays.
Barrett, Pierzynski, Anderson and Mabry were ejected.
The game was delayed nearly 15 minutes before Tadahito Iguchi hit a grand slam to give the White Sox a 5-0 lead en route to a 7-0 win.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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