NEW YORK -- Baseball disciplined another umpire Friday when American League president Gene Budig suspended John Shulock for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount following a blowup in a game between Anaheim and Tampa Bay earlier this week.

Budig, whose job is being eliminated by commissioner Bud Selig, acted because of Shulock's "overly aggressive behavior, display of temper, inappropriate remarks and physical contact" with Tampa Bay catcher Mike DiFelice on Monday night.

Working behind the plate in the game at Anaheim, Shulock was struck in the mask in the third inning by a pitch from Tampa Bay's Wilson Alvarez that sailed past DiFelice. He thought he was hit deliberately and headed out for the mound to confront the pitcher. DiFelice intercepted him and Devil Rays manager Larry Rothschild came out of the dugout to protect his players.

An argument followed and Shulock apparently made contact with DiFelice as he yelled at Alvarez, who was not ejected but was removed from the game by Rothschild. After the game, won by Anaheim 10-5, Shulock said he believed the pitcher had thrown at him on purpose and the catcher made no effort on the ball.

"The more I think about it, I think he (Alvarez) did it intentionally," Shulock said. "I can't prove it, but I'm upset, and I have a right to be."

Shulock said the Devil Rays had been complaining about ball and strike calls during the game and he thought that was behind the pitch which struck him.

Alvarez, DiFelice and Rothschild all refused to discuss the matter before the Devil Rays played the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Shulock, who was working the Chicago-Minnesota game Friday night, also refused comment.

On Monday night, Alvarez said there was no intent on the pitch.

"Mike called for a fastball away, and I threw one that went down the middle," he said. "I wasn't trying to hit him. Those things happen."

Shulock wasn't convinced.

"The catcher called for a curve, and he throws a fastball," he said.

"I'm not going to call strikes on pitches that are outside just to make someone look good. If he can't throw strikes, it's not my fault. He had a bad night. I didn't. The only thing he could hit all night were the Angels' bats, and my mask.

"If that's the way he wants to be, what goes around comes around. He'll get his."

Shulock is not a member of the umpires union. He was hired as a replacement umpire in 1979 when the regular umps struck major league baseball for seven weeks. Shulock was retained after the strike ended.

Even though he is not a member, the union said if he chose to file a grievance over the suspension, it would pursue the matter for him.

Budig said Shulock would not work the final three games of the season with his crew.

Earlier in the season, National League umpire Tom Hallion was suspended for three games without pay for allegedly bumping Colorado catcher Jeff Reed and pitching coach Milt May.

Terry Tata, working the game with Hallion, denied Hallion had made contact with Reed and May.

At the time, baseball officials couldn't recall another suspension of an umpire for an on-field dispute.

Hallion was one of 22 umpires whose resignations were accepted by baseball and who lost their jobs Sept. 2.