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La Velle E. Neal III has covered baseball for the Star Tribune since 1998 (the post-Knoblauch era). Born and raised in Chicago, he grew up following the White Sox and hating the Cubs. He attended both the University of Illinois and Illinois-Chicago and began his baseball writing career at the Kansas City Star. He can be heard occasionally on KFAN radio, lending his great baseball mind to Paul Allen and other hosts. Mark Rosen borrows him occasionally for WCCO-TV.

TWINS: Scott Diamond suspended six games

Posted by: La Velle E. Neal III Updated: August 24, 2012 - 7:32 PM

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Twins lefthander Scott Diamond has been suspended six games and fined by Major League Baseball for throwing near the head of Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton during Friday’s game.
 
The suspension was announced by Joe Garagiola, Jr.,  Senior Vice President of Standards & On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball.
 
Diamond will appeal the suspension.
 
Diamond didn’t come out and say it, but indicated that he was protecting teammate Joe Mauer, who was inexplicably hit in the upper back by Rangers righthander Roy Oswalt. Diamond did admit that he should have kept the pitch to Hamilton down.
 
The Twins still aren't sure why Roy Oswalt plunked Joe Mauer in the back with a pitch during Thursday's game - and indications are that some Rangers players aren't sure either.
 
But no one thought things would carry over from Thursday night.
 
Hamilton said he expected both teams to move on after Thursday's incidents, but said Diamond should have aimed at his knees. If he misses high, then he just gets hit in the side.
 
"It's all good," Hamilton said. "I have forgotten about it. It's over with. It's part of the game."
 
If you're looking for a point of reference, remember when Philadelphia's Cole Hamels hit Bryce Harper with a pitch then said he did it on purpoise? Hamels got a five game suspension and fine.

OTHER NEWS

Denard Span is fine. The plan was for him to get today off since Texas is starting a lefty. He should be in the lineup against Ryan Dempster on Saturday.

Josh Willingham, however, is still bothered by a sore neck and is not in the lineup. The Twins feel there's a chance he will play tomorrow.

Trevor Plouffe's glove gets a day off, but his bat is in the lineup.

Kyle Waldrop is here and ready to help the bullpen. The Twins now have 13 pitchers on the active roster.

Twins (51-73)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Darin Mastroianni, RF
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Ryan Doumit, LF
6. Trevor Plouffe, DH
7. Jamey Carroll, 3B
8. Alexi Casilla, 2B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Pitching: RHP Samuel Deduno

Rangers (73-51)

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, DH
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Nelson Cruz, RF
6. David Murphy, LF
7. Mitch Moreland, 1B
8. Luis Martinez, C
9. Craig Gentry, CF

Pitching: LHP Matt Harrison

older post

Postgame: Waldrop returns, and about those message pitches

newer post

Three Twins postgame thoughts from LEN3: Diamond, Willingham, Dempster

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