Nationals' Papelbon suspended 3 games for throwing at Machado

Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon received a three-game suspension Friday for intentionally throwing at Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado two days prior.

Papelbon's ninth-inning throw toward the head of Machado - who'd hit the go-ahead home run two innings earlier - resulted in the benches clearing. The right-hander was ejected from the game.

"They just said they deemed it intentional, and they didn't give me any reason," Papelbon told The Associated Press. "I don't know if they have to give me any reason or not, but perception is reality.

"If Manny thinks I hit him, then that's what he thinks. I'm not going to sit here and go back forth whether I did or whether I didn't, because it doesn't matter. If he thinks I did, that's what he thinks."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Machado certainly believed the pitch was intentional and was irate when discussing the incident following the game.

"(Someone) with more than 10 years in the game and he's going to go out there and throw at somebody's head," Machado told reporters. "It's something that’s uncalled for. It's bullshit. It's something that you don't do. I expect more from a guy like that with the (accomplishments) that he has."

Papelbon is eligible to pitch as he appeals the suspension.