SIX PLAYERS SUSPENDED AFTER BRAWL IN MEXICALI

A bench-clearing brawl between the Mexicali Aguilas and visiting Obregon Yaquis on December 16 resulted in a Yaquis baserunner being flattened, two ejections (including said flattened baserunner) and a total of six suspensions with fines from Mexican Pacific League president Omar Canizales.

With two out in the top of the sixth inning and Obregon leading, 6-1, Yaquis left fielder Jeff Salazar drew a walk and subsequently stole second. After a pickoff attempt by Mexicali pitcher Alejandro Martinez bounced off Salazar into left field, the former Arizona Diamondbacks player exchanged words and then fists with Aguilas second baseman second Oswaldo Morejon, precipitating the brawl. While squaring off with Morejon, Salazar was flattened by a blindside football-style hit from Martinez and lay motionless near second base while bedlam ensued around him. Amazingly, only Salazar and Morejon were ejected from the game.

Canizales took action one day later, suspending Mexicali’s Morejon and Martinez four games each and Moe Munoz for a single game, while dishing out two-game suspensions to Obregon’s Emil Brown and Agustin Murillo plus a one-night sitdown for Salazar. “I feel sad and distressed by the events that occurred,” Canizales said. “We offer our apologies to fans present at the stadium and those following action on TV.”

A video of the brawl can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZqWc6dc9YI