NEW YORK (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels has been suspended five games for intentionally throwing at Washington rookie Bryce Harper.

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Major League Baseball announced the penalty Monday. Hamels also was fined.

Hamels plunked Harper in the small of the back with a fastball in the first inning Sunday night.

The Phillies won 9-3 and Hamels admitted that he deliberately threw at Harper. Hamels said the purpose pitch was his old-school way of welcoming the 19-year-old Nationals phenom to the big leagues.

Unless appealed, Hamels was scheduled to begin serving his suspension Monday night when the Phillies hosted the New York Mets.