A day after the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays tangled, Major League Baseball struck back: Eight suspensions totaling 38 games.

Boston outfielder Coco Crisp and Tampa Bay pitcher James Shields were the hardest hit yesterday, the result of their fight turning into a wild, bench-clearing brawl at Fenway Park.

Three Red Sox were suspended: Crisp for seven games, pitcher Jon Lester for five games and first baseman Sean Casey for three games.

Five Rays were penalized by MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson: Shields for six games, DH-outfielder Jonny Gomes and pitcher Edwin Jackson for five games each, outfielder Carl Crawford for four games and second baseman Akinori Iwamura for three games.

All eight players also were fined undisclosed amounts. The Red Sox and Rays have often clashed in the past, and their latest outburst came during Boston's 7-1 win Thursday night.

"I want to be very clear: I defend everything our guys did," Rays manager Joe Maddon said before last night's game at Texas. "I feel actually proud of the way we handled the situation that was presented."

The starting dates of the suspensions were staggered, so as to not leave either team short-handed.

Crisp, Shields and Gomes all appealed their penalties, which were set to start last night. They can play until the appeal process is complete.

Lester, suspended for throwing a pitch at a Tampa Bay hitter after a warning had been issued, did not appeal.

Crawford was set to start serving his suspension Wednesday, Jackson on June 13, Casey on June 14 and Iwamura on June 17.

The Red Sox were home against Seattle last night. The Boston clubhouse had already closed when the suspensions were announced.

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Rangers: Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who seemed to have his career back on track, was designated for assignment by Texas in a surprise move prior to last night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Texas general manager Jon Daniels said Ponson had been dumped "for disrespecting teammates and club personnel."

Also, Texas shortstop Michael Young was scratched from the lineup last night against Tampa Bay due to a bruised left ring finger.

Bonds case: Barry Bonds is headed to trial next March on federal charges of lying to a grand jury about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. The trial date was set yesterday in San Francisco after baseball's home run king pleaded not guilty when he was re-arraigned on 15 felony counts of lying under oath and obstruction of justice.

Trade: The Los Angeles Dodgers, short-handed because of shortstop Rafael Furcal's back injury, obtained shortstop Angel Berroa from the Kansas City Royals last night for minor-league infielder Juan Rivera.

Yankees: New York reliever LaTroy Hawkins began serving a three-game suspension last night against Kansas City after his penalty was upheld by the commissioner's office. Hawkins was disciplined for throwing at Baltimore's Luke Scott last month.

Padres: San Diego second baseman Tadahito Iguchi will miss four to six weeks with a separated shoulder after he tumbled while running the bases against the New York Mets on Thursday night.

Braves: Atlanta reliever Mike Gonzalez, recovering from ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow, plans to report to Triple-A Richmond tomorrow for one or two injury rehabilitation appearances. He hopes to come off the disabled list next week.