Don Mattingly Suspended For Two Games

Don Mattingly got what he expected on Saturday, as the Dodgers manager was suspended for two games for his argument with umpires and subsequent ejection on Thursday in Pittsburgh. But more importantly Matt Kemp, who was also ejected Thursday, will not miss any games.

The official reason for the suspension is "excessive arguing." He was also fined an undisclosed amount.

Mattingly on Friday spoke with Joe Torre, MLB czar of discipline, and said he expected a one or two game suspension for in part, failing to keep Kemp in line. But Kemp, who reportedly got the heave ho after saying, "Let's go Dre" during Andre Ethier's at-bat (after prior chirping about the strike zone of home plate umpire Angel Campos), avoided suspension, possibly because his eight innings off was effectively time served.

"We're in a pennant race. I got the guy that was second in the MVP last year," Mattingly said on Thursday. "You can't get thrown out for cheering for your teammate. That's unacceptable behavior."

The ejection on Thursday was Mattingly's sixth of the season, which leads major league baseball. Mattingly's suspension will begin tonight, with bench coach Trey Hillman serving as acting manager.