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Astros' Hinch suspended 1 game for comments toward ump Hernandez

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch received a one-game suspension and was fined an undisclosed amount for comments he made to umpire Angel Hernandez during an argument in a spring training game on Friday, Major League Baseball announced.

Hinch will serve his suspension on Sunday and miss Houston's Grapefruit League contest against the Atlanta Braves.

"I'm very passionate about our players and our team, but on Friday night I made some emotional comments that took attention away from the play on the field," Hinch said in a statement released by the Astros. "I take responsibility for my actions and comments and accept the league's decision."

Hinch was ejected by Hernandez during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals after a dispute over the strike zone. Upon realizing he'd been ejected, the manager stormed out of the dugout and had to be restrained while berating Hernandez near home plate.

Following that game, Hinch continued to criticize the umpire, telling reporters Hernandez - no stranger to controversy in his own right - had "an arrogant attitude."

"The fact he wanted to throw me out in a spring training game is pretty ridiculous," Hinch said on Friday. "He's known for overreaction a little bit and when you argue balls and strikes you get thrown out, I get it. As it escalated, he said some condescending things that are inappropriate and unprofessional, I'll leave it at that."

Hinch has been ejected 15 times in the regular season as a manager, according to Retrosheet.

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