photo: Mike Shildt via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Major League Baseball release
St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for actions that contributed to inciting the benches-clearing incident in the bottom of the fifth inning of his Club’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Tuesday night. Chris Young, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, made the announcement.
Shildt’s suspension will be served during the second game of today’s doubleheader as these two Clubs continue their series in Milwaukee.
Brian Walton’s take
The incident began between Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun and Yadier Molina. The outfielder awarded first base when his swing hit Molina’s left wrist in what was ruled catcher’s interference. While Molina was being attended to the medical staff, both benches and bullpens cleared, leading to ejections of managers Shildt and Craig Counsell.
After the game, Shildt was vehement in his defense of his catcher, defending his toughness. The manager was careful not to make allegations against Braun, but noted that “it just didn’t look good” because there had been “a little conversation prior to it” between the two principals.
Shildt also acknowledged that he had stared into the Brewers dugout in response to comments being uttered.
Molina is sore but imaging did not indicate a break. He did not require placement on the injured list and is in the lineup for Wednesday’s Game 1.
Bench coach Oliver Marmol will manage the offense Game 2 as he did during the closing innings Tuesday night following Shildt’s ejection. Pitching coach Mike Maddux will run the mound staff.
Shildt update
Between games, the manager provided more detail.
“I understand it and I accept it,” he said in reference to his suspension. “I guess taking the mask off got me.”
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