Nationals' Jonathan Papelbon suspended three games for throwing at Manny Machado

Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon was suspended for three games on Friday for intentionally throwing a pitch in the “head area” of Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado.

The incident happened during Wednesday night’s game. In the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game Machado hit a go-ahead two-run homerun. Papelbon’s first pitch to Machado in the ninth inning was up and in, and the third pitch hit Machado on his upper arm, according to the Associated Press. Papelbon was ejected after hitting Machado. He was also fined for the incident, but the amount of the fine wasn’t disclosed.

"They just said they deemed it intentional, and they didn't give me any reason," Papelbon said of the incident, ESPN notes. "I don't know if they have to give me any reason or not, but perception is reality. If Manny thinks I hit him, then that's what he thinks. I'm not going to sit here and go back and forth whether I did or whether I didn't, because it doesn't matter. If he thinks I did, that's what he thinks."

Papelbon has played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Nationals this season. The Phillies traded him to the Nationals in July. He is 4-2 with a 1.91 ERA and 24 saves this season, according to MLB.com. With the Nationals Papelbon has a 2.49 ERA.

Papelbon will appeal his three game suspension. The Nationals are currently seven and a half games behind the New York Mets in first place in the NL East.

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