while I want someone on the Braves to pay the price for Hudson and Cox's actions last night, I am confident that any Brave batter that gets hit by a pitch tonight will result in an instantaneous ejection of the pitcher and Lou, with suspensions to follow, regardless of the intent of the pitcher or evidence of said intent. I feel this is one that will have to wait until next year, when hopefully Hudson will still be a Brave, and pay back can come against the actual offender. I dont think that can be done without a warning first. Sometimes when series get nasty they will install a warning before the game. If they havent done that i think its ok for Lilly to plunk him without the penalties you stated. Id rather have Marmol be the executionor anyway. Lilly doesnt throw hard enough for my satisfying my thirst to get even. :) if you watched last nights game, it's pretty clear that warnings are meaningless. it all comes down to the subjective opinion of the umpires and whether or not they deem a hbp intentional. I think Brenly said that the umpires can do whatever they want in regard to ejecting a player if they feel a pitch was thrown at a batter intentionally, and I think under the rules he was correct. if you watched last nights game, it's also pretty clear the Cubs are screwed if a decision comes down to the subjective opinion of Tim Tschida and crew. TAAAAAAA DAAAAAAAAH! MLB is a GD joke.