Rays' Maddon admits violating rule

[June 22, 2011]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon admits he broke a rule when he let outfielder Sam Fuld warm up as a pitcher but pulled him before he threw a pitch.

Fuld pinch-hit in the top of the eighth inning Monday night, then took the mound with an 8-1 lead.

By rule, Fuld should have faced at least one Milwaukee batter. Instead, Maddon took out Fuld and brought in reliever Cesar Ramos. The Rays won 8-4.

The umpires said they thought Fuld was sore.

"We got away with violating a rule," Maddon said Tuesday. "There were no shenanigans, no misinformation. I just think there was a miscommunication."

Maddon said Major League Baseball executive Joe Torre called him. Maddon apologized to the umpires. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he had no dispute.

[Associated Press]

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