Tampa Bay pitching coach Mike Butcher, who appeared to make contact with an umpire while arguing balls and strikes during a Devil Rays' loss to the New York Yankees earlier this week, was suspended for three games Wednesday.
Butcher was thrown out of Monday's 16-1 loss by plate umpire Alfonso Marquez for arguing from the dugout after a number of close pitches by Devil Rays starter Jae Seo were called balls. TV replays on several pitches during the inning appeared to show the calls were correct.
After being ejected, Butcher ran toward home plate to continue arguing. He appeared to make contact with third base umpire Larry Young, who tried to get between the coach and Marquez.
Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon also left the dugout to argue and was thrown out by Marquez. Butcher, who had left the playing area, returned to the field from the dugout and had to be restrained by bullpen coach Bobby Ramos.
``I didn't grab anybody,'' Butcher said following the game. ``We'll see what happens.''
Butcher's suspension began with Wednesday night's game at Boston.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
