"Washington pitchers hit Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton four times during the just-completed four-game series. After Sunday's 9-4 win, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman insisted it was simply a coincidence.

"Four times?" Riggleman said. "I feel terrible he got hit four times. Every time it was hurting our chance to win the ballgame. We don't want to hit him."

Sunday's excitement started in the fifth inning, when Arizona starter Ian Kennedy hit Jayson Werth, the third time Werth had been hit in the series. Home-plate umpire Rob Drake issued warnings to both teams.

"Clearly, we feel that when there was an open base they took some shots at Werth," Riggleman said. "We didn't like that, but warnings (were) given."

Washington's Jason Marquis hit Upton in the sixth, and both the pitcher and Riggleman were ejected. Marquis objected, pointing to the scoreboard, which reflected a 1-0 Nationals lead.

"I don't understand the reason for the warning," Marquis said. "Especially that early in the game. We hadn't retaliated at any point. But in that type of game, 1-0, throwing the ball the way I was throwing it, to put an extra man on base on purpose puts (my) team in a big hole."

Werth declined to comment on the situation.

"It's freakish the same guy (Upton) kept getting hit, but I can assure you nobody was thrown at from our end," Riggleman said."