Twins pitcher Diamond suspended six games

Minnesota Twins left-hander Scott Diamond has been suspended six games and fined by Major League Baseball after throwing at Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton during Thursday's game in Arlington.

Diamond will appeal the suspension, the Twins announced.

Diamond was ejected from Thursday's game after throwing behind Hamilton's head in the third inning. The throw came after Twins catcher Joe Mauer was hit in the back on a 3-0 pitch from Rangers starter Roy Oswalt. No warnings were given before Diamond's ejection. Manager Ron Gardenhire ran out to argue with home plate umpire Wally Bell and was also ejected.

The ejection and suspension are both firsts for Diamond in his young major league career.

"I'm just glad nobody got hurt," Diamond said Thursday. "I thought I got the hook a little early, but I'm glad that it didn't actually connect or hurt anybody."

Diamond added that he never got an explanation from Bell as to why he was ejected without first receiving a warning.

"I never got an answer. He just kind of shook his head at me," said Diamond, who gave up two runs before his ejection. "That's what I think (manger Ron Gardenhire) talked to him about. I was kind of ushered off the field, so I didn't really get a response."

Diamond has been Minnesota's most consistent pitcher this season despite spending the first month of the year at Triple-A Rochester. Diamond is 10-5 with a team-best 3.04 ERA in 20 starts. He has 71 strikeouts and 20 walks in 130 1/3 innings.

Robby Incmikoski contributed to this report.

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