Jonny Venters won't be suspended at all

[JTRaines92]

CINCINNATI – The Braves got a welcome bit of good news Friday when rookie reliever Jonny Venters’ four-game suspension was rescinded entirely.

The decision came three days after a hearing in Washington, D.C., where Venters and the Braves appealed the suspension he received for hitting Milwaukee Prince Fielder with a pitch on July 17.

Venters had continued to pitch while during the appeals process, and the Braves had hoped the standout left-hander wouldn’t have to miss all of the three-game series against National League Central leader Cincinnati that begins Friday night.

As it turns out, he won’t be suspended for any of it.

It’s common for suspensions to be reduced, but not thrown out entirely. The decision came from John McHale Jr., Major League Baseball’s executive vice president of administration. He also reduced Venters’ unspecified fine.

During the 90-minute hearing in Washington, Venters explained his actions, and several Braves officials spoke on his behalf including general manager Frank Wren, manager Bobby Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell.

The Braves video coordinator also showed footage of other errant pitches Venters threw this season, in situations where there would clearly have been no intent to throw at batters. Cox said Venters has hit 38 batters in his professional career, all but one left-handed (Fielder bats left-handed).

Venters and Cox were both ejected after Venters hit Fielder in the back with a sinking fastball in the eighth inning. The ejections came after the home-plate umpire had issued a warning following the pitch before, a slider that went a few inches over Fielder’s head.

Fielder had homered in the seventh inning of the same game, off Braves starter Tim Hudson. The Brewers’ stout slugger had also been hit with a pitch the night before by Tommy Hanson, one batter after Hanson gave up a homer to Ryan Braun.

Cox conceded after the July 17 game that the situations didn’t look good and he understood why the Brewers would be angry, but was adamant about the Braves not throwing at the Brewers and said his teams don’t play that way.

He made similar statements during the Tuesday hearing, reiterating that the Braves don’t throw at hitters in retaliation after home runs.

Cox was also ejected from the the July 17 game at the same time as Venters, because of the warning that had been issued after the previous pitch. Cox already served a one-game suspension.

Venters’ 1.07 ERA is the second-lowest among National League relievers, and his .170 opponents’ batting average ranks sixth among NL relievers. He’s been a mainstay of a Braves bullpen that has the second-best ERA in the league.

In his past 20 appearances, the lefty has a 0.42 ERA and .143 opponents’ average, with just 10 hits and one run allowed in 21-1/3 innings, with 19 strikeouts and six walks.

Source: Link​

 

[Goober]

That pitch was obviously intentional, but who really gives a fuck either way? Not thread worthy. Go die gaytraines.

 

[JTRaines92]

That pitch was obviously intentional, but who really gives a fuck either way? Not thread worthy. Go die gaytraines.

Fuck you.

 

[NAHSTE]

Johnny Venters is a stud. Good news.