Clemens and Torre suspended

From Yankees.com:

After both Toronto and New York were issued warnings by home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez on Tuesday, Roger Clemens hit Toronto's Alex Rios in the back with a 1-0 pitch to lead off the seventh inning. As a result, Watson handed Clemens an undisclosed fine and suspended the 45-year-old pitcher for five games.

Clemens is scheduled to begin serving his suspension on Friday, when the Yankees begin a three-game series in Cleveland. If Clemens, who was immediately ejected after plunking Rios, decides to appeal the suspension, it will be postponed until the appeal process is complete.

Yankees manager Joe Torre, who was automatically ejected after Clemens intentionally hit Rios, was fined and suspended for one game by Watson. Torre is also scheduled to serve his suspension on Friday against the Indians.

For Toronto, pitcher Josh Towers, outfielder Matt Stairs and third-base coach Brian Butterfield were all fined by Watson for their roles in Tuesday's altercation. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, first-base coach Tony Pena and third-base coach Larry Bowa also received fines. (Source)

The suspension was justified, but it was nice to see Clemens stick up for Alex Rodriguez the other night.

Josh Towers' actions, however, were not justified. After Jesse Litsch threw behind Rodriguez the night before, Towers decided that that was not enough, so he hit Rodriguez. Because of that, the Yankees now lost Clemens for five games and all Towers gets is a fine.