Victorino’s suspension reduced to two games for Giants brawl

Shane Victorino can talk his way out of anything.

After speaking with the commissioner’s office earlier this week, Victorino had his three-game suspension reduced to two. The Phillies center fielder was out of the lineup Thursday night against Arizona and will miss Friday’s game versus Washington.

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Victorino was originally suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount for his role in a bench-clearing brawl Aug. 5 in San Francisco. Four players were fined in that incident, but Victorino was the only one suspended.

Ryan Howard was also missing from the Phillies’ lineup, as he deals with a sore right hand. The injury isn’t serious, according to GM Ruben Amaro Jr.

Ross Gload started at first base and batted sixth, with Hunter Pence batting in Howard’s cleanup spot. John Mayberry Jr. started in place of Victorino.