Rays RHP Matt Garza fined for hitting New York Yankees’ Teixeira with a pitch

Garza fined for hitting batter

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay right-hander Matt Garza has been fined an undisclosed amount for hitting New York Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira with a pitch.

Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said before Friday night’s game against Kansas City that he received an e-mail from Major League Baseball with the penalty.

Garza hit Teixeira in the fifth inning Wednesday night, then said he did it because he’s tired of opposing pitchers throwing at Rays All-Star Evan Longoria.

Garza declined to comment before the Rays took batting practice on Friday.