OAKLAND, Calif. — Houston Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron received a 20-game suspension and a fine for his role in a benches-clearing brawl at Oakland, MLB announced Tuesday.
Cintron’s suspension is the longest for an on-field transgression in 15 years, since Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers received 20 games for his altercation with two cameramen in 2005.
In addition, Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano was given a six-game suspension and a fine. He is appealing the punishment, a person with direct knowledge of the process said, speaking on condition of anonymity because that wasn’t made public.
Laureano was hit by a pitch from Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh inning of Oakland’s 7-2 victory Sunday. He began exchanging words with a gesturing Cintron then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward Cintron.
Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder got to the hitting coach. Laureano is a former Astros player, and the rival clubs have been the top two in the AL West the past two years. A’s pitcher Mike Fiers, another former Houston player, revealed the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal in November to The Athletic.
