Los Angeles Angels' Luis Valbuena, right, tosses his bat after hitting a double as Houston Astros catcher Max Stassi, center, watches along with home plate umpire Cory Blaser during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Houston Astros pitcher Mike Fiers has been suspended five games for throwing a fastball over the head of Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Valbuena in an act of retaliation.
Major League Baseball also fined Fiers an undisclosed amount. Fiers is not appealing, so the penalty starts in Thursday night's game between the AL West-leading Astros and playoff-contending Angels.
On Wednesday, Valbuena homered to cap a five-run first inning off Fiers. It was Valbuena's 20th home run of the season, and the ex-Astros player celebrated with a big bat flip.
The next time Valbuena came up, Fiers threw a pitch at least 2 feet over his head that sailed to the backstop. Plate umpire Cory Blaser warned both benches.
After the game, Fiers said he took Valbuena's bat flip as "disrespect."
Los Angeles Angels' Luis Valbuena tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Angels' Luis Valbuena, right, rounds second after hitting a two-run home run as Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa watches during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Fiers throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press