Braves' Cox, Perez Suspended

Atlanta Braves catcher Eddie Perez was suspended for four games and manager Bobby Cox for two for their roles in a brawl last week against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cox, who was ejected for the eighth time this season, was fined $5,000. Perez was fined $1,000 and Braves pitcher John Smoltz, who also was ejected, was fined $2,500.

Both suspensions were scheduled to begin Wednesday.

The fight began after Phillies pitcher Paul Byrd hit Perez in third inning Friday night, the second time in less than a week that Byrd hit his former teammate with a pitch. Byrd leads the majors with 13 hit batters.

The following inning, the pair exchanged words when Byrd came to the plate and Perez threw a punch, setting of a brawl.

Cox had been ejected the previous inning for arguing a double-play call and was suspended for returning to the field.

Smoltz was ejected by plate umpire Jerry Meals in the fourth after hitting Alex Arias with a pitch.

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