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Victorino begins 2-game suspension tonight

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Victorino begins 2-game suspension tonight

POSTED: Thursday, August 18, 2011, 6:18 PM

Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer

Shane Victorino's appeal was heard by Major League Baseball and his suspension was reduced from three games to two. That hiatus will begin tonight in the finale against Arizona.

Victorino was the only player suspended from the benches-clearing brawl Aug. 5 in San Francisco. He was plunked by Giants reliever Ramon Ramirez, took a few steps toward the mound, and a melee ensued once Giants catcher Eli Whiteside grabbed Placido Polanco.

All four of those players were also fined. Victorino was suspended, MLB said, because his actions intensified the incident. Victorino pushed an umpire and re-entered the scrum.

Charlie Manuel is not only without Victorino, but also Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz. Howard had his right hand examined by doctors Thursday. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said there is little concern and that Howard's hand is merely sore.

Ruiz remains sidelined by a bruised left testicle and is still sore. Howard and Ruiz are both available to come off the bench, Manuel said.

The lineup against Cy Young candidate Ian Kennedy:

1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. John Mayberry Jr. 8
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Hunter Pence 9
5. Raul Ibanez 7
6. Ross Gload 3
7. Brian Schneider 2
8. Wilson Valdez 5
9. Vance Worley 1

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7 comments

Comments (7)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:49 PM, 08/18/2011

Shane Victorino is hitless in eight career at-bats against Ian Kennedy, with three strikeouts... in any event I'm sure hitters 5 through 9 (and 1 through 4 as well) inspire real fear in pitcher

— warbiscuit