In brief: Morgan’s suspensions reduced to 8 games

Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan will serve an eight-game suspension rather than the original penalties of two bans totaling 15 games.

Major League Baseball announced the decision Thursday following appeals. Morgan will begin serving the eight-game penalty today at Philadelphia.

He was given a seven-game suspension and fined on Aug. 25 when the commissioner’s office said he had deliberately thrown a baseball into the stands, resulting in a fan getting hit, at Philadelphia four days earlier.

His eight-game suspension and fine were announced Sept. 3 for a brawl at Florida on Sept. 1.

A day after Morgan ran over Florida catcher Brett Hayes while attempting to score from second on a 10th-inning grounder, separating Hayes’ shoulder, Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad hit Morgan with a pitch. Morgan stole second and third – Washington trailed 14-3 at the time – and Volstad threw his first pitch of the sixth behind Morgan.

Morgan charged the mound and took a swing, setting off a brawl.

Clearing the bases

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