Sawt Falasteen - Tigers' pitcher Valdez suspended for hitting opponent

Valdez triggered a bench-clearing skirmish and was ejected on Tuesday after plunking Story with a 94mph fastball in the fourth inning of the Tigers' 10-3 drubbing by Boston.

MLB senior vice-president of on-field operations Michael Hill announced Valdez's punishment in a brief statement.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was given a one-game suspension and also fined for Valdez's actions.

Speaking after the game on Tuesday, Dominican left-hander Valdez, who had just given up back-to-back home runs before the incident, denied hitting Story on purpose.

"It was not on purpose," Valdez told US media through an interpreter.

"It might've looked like that but it wasn't. I was trying to throw a strike after two consecutive home runs, and the pitch just came out of my hand."

However Valdez received scant backing from his own manager Hinch, who admitted the incident had left a sour taste.

"We play a really good brand of baseball here," Hinch said. "That doesn't feel like it. That's not judging intent. I have no idea.

"But when you go out on the field and end up in those confrontations, you usually feel like you're in your right.

"It didn't feel good being out there."

The Tigers, who have reached the playoffs for the past two seasons under Hinch, are leading the American League Central division despite making a lackluster 18-19 start to the season.

H.Jarrar--SF-PST