Mariners’ Wilson, Speier suspended after benches clear vs Tigers

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson has been suspended one game and left-hander Gabe Speier three games by Major League Baseball after Speier’s “intentional throwing” at Detroit’s Gleyber Torres on Wednesday night, the league announced Thursday morning.

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Wilson will serve his one-game ban during Thursday’s series finale against the Tigers, which begins at 1:10 p.m. He has also received a fine for an undisclosed amount.

Bench coach Manny Acta would be the likely candidate to fill Wilson’s managerial duties Thursday.

Speier, who also received an undisclosed fine, was scheduled to begin his suspension Thursday but has elected to file an appeal. His discipline is in abeyance until the appeals process is complete.

The suspensions root from a moment in the top of the eighth inning Wednesday that led to the benches clearing and both Wilson and Speier to be ejected, but it all started an inning prior.

In the bottom of the seventh, Tigers pitcher Enmanuel De Jesus plunked Cal Raleigh in the midsection with a fastball.

Then with two outs in the eighth, Speier threw a first-pitch fastball well inside that nearly hit Torres. His next pitch hit Detroit’s second baseman on the thigh.

After an exchange of words between Raleigh and Torres at the plate, players from both dugouts spilled out on to the field.

Umpires met after the kerfuffle calmed down and decided to eject Speier. Wilson was then ejected after arguing the decision.

The Mariners and Tigers continue their series at T-Mobile Park on Thursday in a matchup that could provide some more sparks. Left-hander Framber Valdez – who has a history of letting his emotions get the best of him on the mound, even appearing to throw at his own catcher while with Houston last season – is set to start for Detroit.

Radio coverage of Thursday’s game begins at noon on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app with the pregame show.

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