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The Arizona Diamondbacks will have no skipper when they face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight.
Manager Kirk Gibson was suspended for one game by Major League Baseball for Esmerling Vazquez’ plunking of Washington Nationals player Danny Espinosa during the eighth inning of Sunday’s game.
The hit was retaliation for Nationals starter Jason Marquis plunking Justin Upton in the sixth.
Marquis faces the prospect of a five-game suspension, which he’s appealing. Vazquez was given three days, which he’s also appealing.
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman also received a one-game suspension, starting tonight against the defending champion San Francisco Giants.
Major League Baseball has been sensitive about beanings over the last few years, issuing warnings against pitchers whenever they feel a hit-by-pitch was deliberate. They warned both benches during the fifth inning Friday not to engage in any more shenanigans, which the teams disregarded.
