Nats' Morgan gets eight-game ban

Nyjer Morgan of the Washington Nationals has been given an eight-game suspension for three incidents this week: charging the mound and inciting a bench-clearing brawl with the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night, taunting Marlins fans on Tuesday, and unnecessarily running into St. Louis Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson last Saturday.

The suspension will be in addition to the seven-game ban that Morgan is currently appealing for throwing a ball at a fan in the stands in Philadelphia on Aug. 21.

Bob Watson, MLB's VP of on-field operations, also announced that five Marlins have been disciplined: pitcher Chris Volstad will get six games for intentionally throwing at Morgan; first baseman Gaby Sanchez will get three and pitcher Alex Sanabia will get five for their roles in the brawl. Pitcher Jose Veras was fined for "aggressive actions" and comments during the incident. Manager Edwin Rodriguez was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount for aggressive actions. He will serve the ban on Friday night when the Marlins host Atlanta.

Also receiving suspensions were Nationals reliever Doug Slaten, who got three games for intentionally throwing at Sanchez after a warning had been issued. Manager Jim Riggleman has been suspended two games for aggressive actions and fined an undisclosed amount. Third base coach Pat Listach was given three games and fined an undisclosed amount for his involvement in the brawl. Riggleman will serve his suspension on Friday and Saturday in Pittsburgh.