Coco Gets Hit With 7 Game Suspension

This had to be one of the strangest games of baseball I have ever seen. The Sox welcomed Tampa Bay on Tuesday for a 3 game series. Game 1 passed off quietly with the Sox taking it 7-4, but it was Wednesdays game 2 when things started to get interesting, with coco intentionally sliding hard into Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura. A heated argument with Joe Maddon followed as Crisp took his seat in the dugout. Things soon cooled and the Sox took game 2, 5-1. Thursday arrives and its game 3. Shields is on the mound for the Rays, and it seems that Crisps slide into 2ND base is fresh in his mind. Coco comes to the plate for his first at bat of the game, Shields, Seeking revenge for his team mate, throws a fastball that hits Crisp on his right thigh. Coco turns as if to head for first base, and then out of nowhere charges the mound, Shield's tried to throw the first Punch, but didnt connect, due to Coco's matrix like moves. Then the benches empty, with the bullpens closely following. For a few minutes it was a slug fest, with some Tampa Players trying to get a few low blows while Coco was on the floor. At the end up nobody was really hurt, and Francona took Coco to the side to calm him down. Crisp, Shields and Rays designated hitter Jonny Gomes were all ejected from the game. Emotions certainly were expressed throughout the contest, with Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis exchanging words in the dugout following the bottom of the fourth. The two were separated by teammates before Youkilis took his position on the field and Ramirez walked toward the back hallway of the dugout. Terry Francona said after the game that the exchange was the product of having, "a lot of testosterone going." Crisp's replacement in the batting order was recent Triple-A Pawtucket call up Chris Carter, who entered the game in the second in left field. Carter recorded two singles in his first two at-bats. Carter's performance was a real bright spot, from a game that was marred by many other things. Eight players were suspended a total of 38 games in the aftermath of the incident, with Crisp receiving the greatest suspension of 7 games. Jon Lester also picked up a 5 game suspension, a decision i don't understand at all. Sean Casey also picked up a 3 game suspension.