The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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League suspends four Spokane players

Spokane Indians reliever Matt West (35) waits for the opening pitch with the rest of the bullpen before the game against Vancouver at Avista Stadium on Monday. West was suspended for six games for his role in the bench-clearing brawl with Vancouver on Monday. (Christopher Anderson)
Spokane Indians reliever Matt West (35) waits for the opening pitch with the rest of the bullpen before the game against Vancouver at Avista Stadium on Monday. West was suspended for six games for his role in the bench-clearing brawl with Vancouver on Monday. (Christopher Anderson)
Four Spokane Indians players and two from the Vancouver Canadians were suspended by the Northwest League and a league-record 51 players were fined for their part in the bench-clearing brawl on Monday at Avista Stadium. Spokane relief pitcher Matt West was hit the hardest, a six-game suspension effective immediately. Spokane second baseman Rougned Odor, who threw the first punch at Vancouver shortstop Shane Opitz, was suspended four games. Odor’s suspension also starts immediately. Spokane pitchers Jose Menegro and Santo Perez were each suspended three games. Menegro’s suspension starts on July 19, but NWL president Bob Richmond said details of Perez’s suspension were still being worked out. Opitz and Vancouver second baseman cqJonathon Berti each received three-game suspensions. Richmond said 51 players were fined, but would not reveal the amounts of the fines. “Virtually everyone got dinged for something,” said Richmond. League rules prohibit players from leaving the bench to join in an altercation. “I’m disappointed these things happen,” said Richmond, “but my job is to see proper sanctions are imposed and to protect the integrity of the game.”