Fight Results In 3-Game Bans

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brian Hunter and Cincinnati Reds reliever Scott Sullivan were suspended for three games for fighting last weekend at Coors Field.

Both players also were fined Wednesday by Frank Robinson, baseball's vice president of on-field operations, and both said they would appeal their suspensions.

Hunter charged the mound after being hit with a pitch near his head in the seventh inning of Cincinnati's 7-4 victory over the Rockies on Saturday. Sullivan met Hunter halfway between the mound and home plate and landed a couple of grazing blows before the two were engulfed by teammates.

Sullivan, who denied hitting Hunter intentionally, and Hunter were ejected, along with Colorado first baseman Todd Helton and Rockies manager Buddy Bell. Neither Helton nor Bell was penalized.

Sullivan, in Houston as the Reds opened a two-game series against the Astros, said he wasn't sure how the appeal process works.

"This is my first rodeo in this event," he said. "I'm sure I'll become more aware of the process as time goes by."

Hunter, in Los Angeles where the Rockies opened a two-game series against the Dodgers, said he just wanted to speak with Robinson.

"Regardless of how many days it was going to be, I was going to appeal it to explain my side of the situation," he said, refusing to comment further.

Said Bell: "I just think he (Hunter) wants to get an audience with Frank."

Hunter had some strong comments after Saturday's game, saying he expected to get hit after Colorado reliever Stan Belinda plunked Cincinnati star Ken Griffey Jr. in the top of the seventh.

Had Sullivan hit him in the leg, Hunter said, he would have gone to first, but he planned to hit Sullivan with the bill of his helmet if the ball was anywhere near his head.

"It really crossed my mind to go with my helmet and try to get hit him and maybe knock an eyeball out or something," Hunter said.

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