Nationals' Jorge Lopez Suspended 3 Games by MLB for Throwing at Andrew McCutchen

Washington Nationals reliever Jorge López has been suspended for his role in Wednesday's benches-clearing incident against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

MLB announced on Thursday that López received a three-game suspension "for intentionally throwing" at Andrew McCutchen in the seventh inning of Pittsburgh's 6-1 win.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez was also suspended for one game. He will sit out Thursday's series finale at PNC Park. López is appealing his suspension, meaning he will be eligible to pitch until a decision is rendered.

López was ejected from the game by the home-plate umpire after the pitch went toward McCutchen's head before the Pirates outfielder was able to duck out of the way to avoid being hit.

The situation was part of a series of events between the two teams that started on Tuesday night when Washington third baseman Paul DeJong suffered a fractured nose when he was hit by a pitch from Mitch Keller.

López hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch one batter prior to McCutchen stepping in the box on Wednesday. The right-handed reliever did issue an apology after the game.

"I apologize for everything," López told reporters. "I didn’t make any pitch [on purpose] right there. … I tried to do my adjustment. I’ve been trying to find my way with my delivery, I tried to find my way through the whole season. And it's really miserable that happened. I regret what just happened."

The Pirates, who led the game 1-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, scored five runs to blow it wide open.

López was charged with four runs on two hits allowed. His ERA is up to 10.57 in 7.2 innings this season.

The Nationals and Pirates will wrap up their four-game series on Thursday afternoon. Washington will travel to Colorado for three games with the Rockies this weekend.