Suspension throws Piniella for a loop

DETROIT - Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella has been suspended and he isn't sure why. He is sure, though, that his suspension doesn't make sense.

Piniella was one of five disciplined for actions during Wednesday's beanball game between the Rays and Twins.

Following major-league rules, Piniella was ejected along with Rays pitcher Nick Bierbrodt when Bierbrodt threw behind Minnesota's Corey Koskie after both teams had been warned for beanballs. What's unusual is that the manager, in this case Piniella, was suspended for one game.

"I don't see any reason for me being suspended," Piniella said. "This has happened many times in the past and I haven't seen managers being suspended. I've seen them being ejected after a warning, but I've never seen a suspension handed down for a manager. I truthfully think it's ludicrous."

Scott Ullger, who was acting as Twins manager because Ron Gardenire had been ejected earlier in Tuesday's game, also picked up a game's suspension after Twins pitcher Brad Radke hit Rays catcher Toby Hall. Still, the whole thing didn't sit well with Piniella.

"I've never been suspended for basically what was retaliation," Piniella said. "I guess the rules have changed. I guess they're trying to tell managers that they don't want retaliation. And if that's the case, the umpires have to take better control of the ballgame. If they feel the first guy threw at somebody intentionally, you kick him out of the ballgame and it stops the rest of this stuff."

Radke was handed the stiffest suspension. He picked up five games but is appealing his suspension. Bierbrodt was suspended three games.

"I kind of expected it," said Bierbrodt, who is not appealing.

Rays pitcher Seth McClung, who started Wednesday's game, was fined an undisclosed amount for starting things by hitting Minnesota's Bobby Kielty.

Piniella will sit out today's game. Bench coach John McLaren will manage the Rays.

PITCHING SHUFFLE: With only three wins out of their starters in the first month, the Rays again are reshuffling their rotation.

With reliever Bierbrodt suspended for this weekend, McClung will go into the bullpen.

Dewon Brazelton will be called up today and make his third major-league start. The former first-round pick started five games for Triple-A Durham with a 2-2 record and a 4.21 ERA.

Meantime, Jim Parque, out since early April with shoulder tendinitis, likely will go back into the rotation next week.

"We got to drop somebody from the rotation," said Piniella, who joked he might find a rotation by drawing names out of a hat.

Brazelton will get a long look by Piniella, who said Brazelton probably would've made the rotation out of spring training had it not been for leg and groin injuries that limited him to five spring innings.

Brazelton, Joe Kennedy and Jorge Sosa will make up three-fifths of the rotation for now. Steve Parris, Parque and McClung are the candidates for the other two spots.

CRAWFORD RESTS: After playing on the hard surface at the Metrodome in Minnesota and coming down with a tender lower back, Rays leftfielder Carl Crawford didn't start Friday for the first time this season.

ROCKER UPDATE: John Rocker, signed to a minor-league contract by the Rays last month, made his season debut at Double-A Orlando on Thursday. He pitched one inning, giving up a hit.

The O-Rays won Thursday's game 15-3 against Birmingham to snap a 12-game losing streak, which tied the longest losing streak by a Rays minor-league team. Class A St. Petersburg lost 12 straight in 2000.