Papelbon suspended for throwing at Machado (updated)

BOSTON - The Orioles didn't retaliate yesterday after Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon hit third baseman Manny Machado with a pitch the previous day. They let Major League Baseball handle the punishment.

Papelbon has been suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount for "intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area," according to a news release. Joe Garagiola, Sr., MLB's senior vice president of standards and on-field operations, made the announcement.

The suspension will begin tonight unless Papelbon chooses to appeal. The Nationals are home to start a three-game series against his former team, the Phillies, after being swept by the Orioles this week.

The Orioles are in Boston for a three-game series against another of Papelbon's former teams, the Red Sox, but it's purely coincidence.

Both benches emptied Wednesday night after Papelbon drilled Machado on the left shoulder in the top of the ninth inning. Papelbon's first pitch sailed high and tight. He threw a curveball on the next offering before hitting Machado with another fastball.

Papelbon remained on the bench after his ejection, which is against the rules. Manager Buck Showalter noticed and asked reporters yesterday whether a suspension had been announced.

"It's just bull(crap)," Machado said Wednesday after hitting his 30th home run. "A 10-year vet, with more than 10 years in the game and he's going to go out there and throw at somebody's head. I mean, once, and then he throws a curveball to kind of (change) the mood, then throws up at the head. It's something that's uncalled for. It's bull(crap). It's something that you don't do. I expect more from a guy like that with the past that he has.

"I don't necessarily think I'm being targeted. I'm going up there making good swings. If people are trying to hit me, it's part of the game. I'm not worried about getting hit. I'll take the hits. Its part of the game. Pitchers out there, the ball can slip out of your hand, but when you throw at the head on first pitch right from the get-go, then you throw a curveball and then you throw again at the head, that's just bull(crap). It's coward stuff. It's just cowardly."

Update: The Nationals have announced that Papelbon will appeal his suspension.