Managers Terry Francona and Lou Piniella are included as part of the six members of the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays who are suspended for their roles in the two bench-clearing incidents during the beanball contest played on April 24th at Tropicana Field. Both managers are suspended one game each. Boston’s 11 – 3 victory, which featured six ejections, also results in multi-game suspensions for Bronson Arroyo (six games), Dewon Brazelton (five games), Lance Carter (five games) and Trot Nixon (two games). The Red Sox and Devil Rays have a history of beanballs and bench-clearing incidents dating back several years. In 108 meetings between the teams since the start of the 2000 season, 120 batters have been hit by pitches. Over the same span, the Boston and Tampa Bay pitching staffs each have beaned 495 batters, easily tied for the most in the majors.

Managers Terry Francona and Lou Piniella are included as part of the six members of the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays who are suspended for their roles in the two bench-clearing incidents during the beanball contest played on April 24th at Tropicana Field. Both managers are suspended one game each. Boston’s 11 – 3 victory, which featured six ejections, also results in multi-game suspensions for Bronson Arroyo (six games), Dewon Brazelton (five games), Lance Carter (five games) and Trot Nixon (two games). The Red Sox and Devil Rays have a history of beanballs and bench-clearing incidents dating back several years. In 108 meetings between the teams since the start of the 2000 season, 120 batters have been hit by pitches. Over the same span, the Boston and Tampa Bay pitching staffs each have beaned 495 batters, easily tied for the most in the majors.

The Washington Nationals exercise Jose Guillen’s $4 million contract option for 2006. Guillen, who was acquired in a trade with the Angels after feuding with manager Mike Scioscia, appears to have found a home in Washington thanks to a very pleased general manager, Jim Bowden.

The Washington Nationals exercise Jose Guillen’s $4 million contract option for 2006. Guillen, who was acquired in a trade with the Angels after feuding with manager Mike Scioscia, appears to have found a home in Washington thanks to a very pleased general manager, Jim Bowden.

Greg Maddux

In the first matchup between 300-game winners in almost 18 years, Greg Maddux outduels Roger Clemens in the Chicago Cubs’ 3 – 2 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The last such showdown occurred in 1987 when Don Sutton of the California Angels defeated Steve Carlton of the Minnesota Twins. Maddux earns his first win of season and 306th of his career, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.

In the first matchup between 300-game winners in almost 18 years, Greg Maddux outduels Roger Clemens in the Chicago Cubs’ 3 – 2 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The last such showdown occurred in 1987 when Don Sutton of the California Angels defeated Steve Carlton of the Minnesota Twins. Maddux earns his first win of season and 306th of his career, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.