Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was suspended for three games as manager of the Midwest League's Peoria Chiefs for his role in a bench-clearing incident last week.

Sandberg began the suspension with Saturday night's game at Clinton, Iowa, and was to complete the penalty Monday night at home against Quad Cities. He also was suspended for two games on May 13 last year for bumping an umpire.

The Peoria Journal Star reported Sandberg confronted Clinton manager Mike Micucci between the sixth and seventh innings of Peoria's 7-3 loss Thursday.

Sandberg apparently was upset because a Clinton player tried to bunt in the sixth inning with a 6-0 lead. Sandberg was ejected for the third time this season and seventh time with the Chiefs.