Indians trade Garko to Giants
7/28/2009SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Giants have acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians, filling a big need in the infield and adding a key right-handed bat.
Garko, 28, was a late lineup scratch for the Indians Monday night before they opened a road series against the Los Angeles Angels. He was batting .285 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 78 games, including .343 this month.
The Giants, who fell out of the wild-card lead with a 3-7 road trip, gave up Class-A left-hander Scott Barnes in the deal. Barnes was 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 18 starts and 98.0 innings.
WEDGE, ABREU SUSPENDED: Indians manager Eric Wedge and pitcher Winston Abreu were suspended and fined Monday after the reliever plunked a Seattle hitter over the weekend.
Abreu received a three-game ban and Wedge was suspended for one game. Abreu decided not to appeal the ruling.
Bench coach Jeff Datz ran the team last night against the Angels.
Abreu said he was surprised by the decision.
"Three days can be a little hard on us, but there's nothing I can do," said Abreu, who was acquired from Tampa Bay on July 2. "I didn't try to hit nobody. I was just trying to throw inside, like every pitcher does. I was just doing my thing."
Abreu plunked Jack Hannahan on the shoulder during the ninth inning of a 10-3 win Saturday at Seattle and was promptly thrown out by plate umpire Dale Scott. Wedge was ejected for arguing the ejection.