The chances of Albert Pujols being suspended for punching an opponent in the face have just gone from probable to almost certain.

	Albert Pujols' altercation with Gary Bennett is going to cost him and St. Louis. How much? That's the question.

When asked if the Cardinals could expect to lose Pujols to such disciplinary measures, Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's discipline czar, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that that "would be correct."

Watson told the newspaper that a decision probably would come Friday, adding that he needed to review the video evidence and the reports from the umpiring crew about the Eaton-Pujols-Bennett incident.

"Fighting has no part in the game. You can do what you want to do, but don't be throwing any blows," Watson said.

"We've got to stop this. What is it, eight or nine on-field things that have gone on this year? All last season, we only had two. There's too much testosterone or something."

Pujols was hit in the shoulder blade on the first pitch he saw from Adam Eaton in St. Louis' eventual 3-1 win over San Diego, a day after Pujols lingered at the plate following his game-winning, two-run home run in a 9-7, 11-inning victory.

Eaton was immediately ejected, and Pujols, Padres catcher Gary Bennett and San Diego manager Bruce Bochy also were thrown out. During a brief confrontation Pujols punched Bennett in the face.

In his first comments about the incident, Pujols said Monday that he deserved to be kicked out.

"I threw the punch. I should have been," Pujols told the Post-Dispatch, adding that Bennett "said some things that I didn't appreciate. It's something where you react. It's part of the game."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.