Nationals' Cole suspended 5 games for throwing at Pirates' Kang

Washington Nationals right-hander A.J. Cole has been suspended five games by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang during Sunday's game, which sparked a bench-clearing brawl.

Cole will appeal the suspension.

Cole threw behind Kang one inning after the Korean planted a fake tag on Nationals superstar Bryce Harper as he ran to third base. Thinking the play was closer than it was due to the fake-out, Harper awkwardly slid into third base and wound up injuring his thumb; he'd later leave the game due to the injury. That prompted the retaliatory pitch from Cole in the bottom of the third inning, for which he was immediately ejected as both benches cleared.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Cole, 24, owns a 5.09 ERA and has struck out 37 batters in seven starts for the Nationals this season.