OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 02-20-2009, 10:10 AM

Durazo suspended 10 games
Devil Rays slugger out as team scuffles
August 3, 1999

SEATTLE — Tampa Bay Devil Rays firstbaseman/designated hitter Erubiel Durazo has been suspended 10 games for his role in a bench-clearing brawl last night.

The suspension comes at an awful time for the second-year team, as the Devil Rays have lost five consecutive games and now sit just one game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card race. The Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics are just 1 1/2 back while the Minnesota Twins are 2 1/2 behind Tampa Bay.

Durazo and Seattle Mariners pitcher John Riedling were each handed 10-game suspensions by Major League Baseball.

"We do not condone this kind of behavior on the field," the league's announcement said. "As such, we feel that this punishment fits the actions taken by these two players."

Durazo, a rookie, is hitting .275 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI this year. He was on pace to hit 34 home runs and 124 RBI, numbers that will be a bit harder to attain as he sits out the next 10 games.

Riedling, a rookie reliever, is 2-0 with 2 saves and a 0.86 ERA in 21 innings out of the bullpen.

"It's a big blow for the next week and a half," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We need some of the other guys to step and make the most of the opportunity to get some additional at bats in."

02-20-2009, 10:10 AM	#127 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Durazo suspended 10 games Devil Rays slugger out as team scuffles August 3, 1999 SEATTLE — Tampa Bay Devil Rays firstbaseman/designated hitter Erubiel Durazo has been suspended 10 games for his role in a bench-clearing brawl last night. The suspension comes at an awful time for the second-year team, as the Devil Rays have lost five consecutive games and now sit just one game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card race. The Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics are just 1 1/2 back while the Minnesota Twins are 2 1/2 behind Tampa Bay. Durazo and Seattle Mariners pitcher John Riedling were each handed 10-game suspensions by Major League Baseball. "We do not condone this kind of behavior on the field," the league's announcement said. "As such, we feel that this punishment fits the actions taken by these two players." Durazo, a rookie, is hitting .275 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI this year. He was on pace to hit 34 home runs and 124 RBI, numbers that will be a bit harder to attain as he sits out the next 10 games. Riedling, a rookie reliever, is 2-0 with 2 saves and a 0.86 ERA in 21 innings out of the bullpen. "It's a big blow for the next week and a half," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We need some of the other guys to step and make the most of the opportunity to get some additional at bats in."