PHILADELPHIA -- Larry Bowa's one-game suspension was upheld, forcing the Philadelphia Phillies' manager to serve the penalty when his team played Atlanta on Tuesday night.

Bowa was suspended for one game and fined April 2 by Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charge on discipline. Bowa incited the benches to clear during a spring-training game against Toronto.

"It's a joke," Bowa said after the suspension was announced. "The whole thing borders on ridiculous."

The penalties were upheld Tuesday by Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer.

Angry that Toronto's Roy Halladay had hit Jim Thome in the third inning of the game in Clearwater, Fla., on March 26, Bowa yelled at the pitcher an inning later and was ejected.

Both benches emptied, but no punches were thrown. Bowa had to be restrained by several people.