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Huge fallout follows brawl

Rays' Jonny Gomes, center, took his shot Thursday at Boston's Coco Crisp, bottom. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Rays' Jonny Gomes, center, took his shot Thursday at Boston's Coco Crisp, bottom. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

A day after the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays tangled, Major League Baseball struck back: eight suspensions totaling 38 games.

Boston outfielder Coco Crisp and Tampa Bay pitcher James Shields were the hardest hit Friday, the result of their fight turning into a wild, bench-clearing brawl at Fenway Park.

Three Red Sox were suspended: Crisp for seven games, pitcher Jon Lester for five games and first baseman Sean Casey for three games.

Five Rays were penalized by MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson: Shields for six games, DH-outfielder Jonny Gomes and pitcher Edwin Jackson for five games each, outfielder Carl Crawford for four games and second baseman Akinori Iwamura for three games.

All eight players also were fined undisclosed amounts. The Red Sox and Rays have often clashed in the past, and their latest outburst came during Boston’s 7-1 win Thursday night.

“I want to be very clear: I defend everything our guys did,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said before Tampa Bay’s game at Texas.

The starting dates of the suspensions were staggered, so as to not leave either team short-handed.

Clearing the bases

Manny Ramirez strolled into the middle of the clubhouse with a bat in his hand and smile on his face, ready to put his dugout dustup with teammate Kevin Youkilis as far away as some the 503 career homers he’s hit. “It’s in the past,” he said of his brief spat with Youkilis in Thursday’s 7-1 victory over Tampa Bay. “It’s a new day.” … New York Yankees reliever LaTroy Hawkins began serving a three-game suspension against Kansas City after his penalty was upheld by the commissioner’s office. Hawkins was disciplined for throwing at Baltimore’s Luke Scott last month. The right-hander had his appeal hearing Tuesday, but the length of the suspension was not reduced. … Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who seemed to have his career back on track, was designated for assignment by Texas in a surprise move prior to the game against Tampa Bay. … Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said he wants to re-sign general manager Brian Cashman, whose current three-year deal ends after this season.