The Associated Press
NEW YORK - Texas Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco was suspended for the rest of the season, and two teammates and a coach were suspended Friday after he threw a chair that hit a woman and broke her nose during a game against the Oakland Athletics earlier this week.
Pitcher Doug Brocail was suspended for seven games and reliever Carlos Almanzar and hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo were suspended for five games.
Unless appealed, the suspensions for Francisco and Brocail were scheduled to begin Friday, while the suspension for Almanzar is scheduled to begin today. All four were fined. Francisco's suspension will be for no less than 16 regular-season games in the event of an appeal, said baseball vice president Bob Watson.
Francisco threw the chair into the right-field box seats during a confrontation with fans and hit two spectators in the head on Monday night during Texas' 7-6, 10-inning loss. With two outs in the ninth inning, the Rangers' Alfonso Soriano tied the game 5-5 with his second homer. Moments later, with Hank Blalock at the plate, the Texas bench and bullpen cleared.
Francisco was arrested and taken from the stadium to jail, where he was booked and his mug shot was taken. He was released about two hours later on $15,000 bail.
PHILLIES: Closer Billy Wagner was suspended for two games Friday by Major League Baseball and fined an undisclosed amount after he was ejected against the New York Mets last weekend.
The suspension was scheduled to begin Friday night when Philadelphia was home against Montreal.
ON STRIKE: Japanese baseball players elected to stage the first strike in the history of the sport in Japan on Friday after extended negotiations with team officials failed to reach an agreement.
Japan's professional players had threatened to strike this weekend unless a one-year freeze was placed on the merger of the Pacific League's Kintetsu Buffaloes and Orix BlueWave.
The strike will wipe out all games this weekend and possibly all weekend games between now and the end of the season. Weekday games will be played as scheduled. Negotiations will resume next week.
PREP SPORTS
High school sports results, schedules
How Top Tens fared
Ohio games
Cardinals thump Aves
Q & A with Colerain's Kerry Coombs
Trojans pull victory out of air against Tigers
Offense again comes through for East
'Old-school' approach inspires Withrow win
Friday's other Ohio games
•
Photos of Friday's Ohio games
Kentucky games
Conner knocks off Boone
First-half stand leads to rout
Highlands shuts out Boyle Co.
Colonels' late kick KOs Tigers
CovCath ends long Beechwood string
Roundup of Friday's other Kentucky games
Q&A: Dayton coach Stephen Lickert
• Photos of Friday's Kent. games
BENGALS / NFL
Williams has left Dolphins in lurch
Safety Beckett doubtful to play Sunday
Titans will test Colts' running game
Panthers take another hit with injury to Davis
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Orange have fans seeing red
Successful Classic striving for more
Budding rivalry not only on field
Bobcats could be tonic for reeling RedHawks
It's win or bust for weary 'Cats
Scandals continue plaguing Colorado
REDS / BASEBALL
Cubs 12, Reds 4
Tribute a trip to past for Nuxhall
Bonds joins Aaron, Ruth at 700 HRs
Rangers' Francisco suspended for season
Red Sox closing on Yankees
MOTOR SPORTS
Driver's singular passion: racing
Rain sets lineup for NASCAR
MORE SPORTS HEADLINES
Prolific striker blending in at NKU
Sports digest
Sports this weekend on TV, radio
BIG WEEKEND
• Let's get this party started
• Best places to eat
• What's new downtown, on riverfront
• Big events fill the weekend
• Downtown event map (PDF)
• More Big Weekend coverage
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