MLB announced that Nationals lefty Sean Nolin was suspended five games for “intentionally hitting” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman with a pitch during Wednesday’s game. Nolin also was fined.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez also received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine. Martinez served his suspension Friday when the Nationals faced the Pirates. Nolin is appealing his suspension.
The suspensions are fallout from Wednesday’s fireworks. Nolin threw at Freeman twice, hitting him on the second attempt, which led to a first-inning ejection. The Nationals were retaliating after Braves reliever Will Smith hit star Juan Soto with a pitch in the ninth inning Tuesday. Smith and Soto have a history of tension.
After the game, Freeman said he understood Nolin throwing at him, but he didn’t like the pitcher doing so twice.
“You can’t do two. You got one chance, you’ve got to hit me,” Freeman said. “When you miss the first time, that’s your one chance. That’s all you get.”
While the Nationals won Wednesday’s game, the Braves took two of three in the series. They won the season series against the Nationals 14-5.
