Judge rules Urbina fired gun in self-defense

CARACAS, Venezuela -- A judge has thrown out charges against free-agent pitcher Ugueth Urbina, who was arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air in an upscale Caracas neighborhood.

Judge Ludmila Pinto ruled that Urbina fired his gun in self-defense when a man on a motorcycle tried to rob him, the pitcher's lawyer, Andres Peinado, said in comments published in El Universal newspaper Sunday.

Police arrested Urbina early Friday morning for firing a gun out the passenger window of an SUV.

Urbina finished last season as the closer for the World Series champion Florida Marlins.

Police said Urbina and a friend, Cesar Diaz, were intoxicated when they were detained. Police seized a 9 mm revolver from the pair, who were charged with possession of a weapon without a license and misuse of a firearm.

Urbina and his lawyer were not immediately available for further comment.

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