NEW YORK (AP) — Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended three games for making contact with an umpire.
The suspension was to begin Tuesday night against the New York Yankees, but Papelbon is appealing.
Major League Baseball also fined Papelbon an undisclosed amount for his actions in the ninth inning last Saturday, when he blew a four-run lead as the Oakland Athletics tied it at 7. Boston won 9-8 in 14 innings.
Papelbon was upset with the balls and strikes calls of plate umpire Tony Randazzo. The pitcher said something to Randazzo after Conor Jackson’s two-run single and the umpire took off his mask and replied. Papelbon rushed toward the umpire and was ejected. At one point during the argument, Papelbon bumped Randazzo with his chest.
