SEATTLE – The suspension of Mariners shortstop JP Crawford stemmed from last weekend’s controversy, which reduced Los Angeles to five to four games and led to a ban Thursday.
Crawford requested a five-match ban for participating in Sunday’s clash at Angel Stadium. He was in the park for opening work on Thursday but said he plans to leave before the first pitch against Oakland.
Crawford was one of three suspended Mariners players. Jesse Winker was suspended for seven games and Julio Rodriguez was suspended for two games. All three players appealed, but Crawford is the only player to have had his ban reduced so far.
Seattle manager Scott Servis said Winker will probably begin his suspension next week after Crawford is completed – reduced or not.
The controversy erupted in the second inning shortly after Angels opener Andrew Wantz hit Winker off the pitch. One night after Seattle’s Eric Swanson threw a pitch near Mike Trout’s head in the ninth inning, Vontz threw a pitch behind Rodriguez in the first inning.
Six players and both managers were fired after the fight, and players, coaches and team staff were given 12 suspensions on Monday.