DODGERS-ROCKIES: Los Angeles outfielder Matt Kemp was suspended for four games and Colorado catcher Yorvit Torrealba was penalized three games Thursday following their tussle earlier this week.
Both players also were fined undisclosed amounts by Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson.
Kemp appealed his suspension, allowing him to play until a hearing is held. The Rockies were informed that Torrealba plans to appeal his suspension as well.
“That’s what they decided to do, so I have to respect that. But I feel it was just as much his fault as my fault,” Kemp said. “I don’t feel that I should get more, but it’s not my decision. That’s why I’m appealing it. I didn’t know it was going to be that many games, but we’ll see what happens.”
Kemp and Torrealba tangled Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Kemp struck out on a pitch in the dirt for the final out of the eighth inning, and the ball rolled a few feet to the right of Torrealba.
Torrealba brushed Kemp from behind before picking up the ball and tagging him lightly in the chest. Kemp shoved Torrealba, and the Rockies catcher retaliated by shoving Kemp in the face with both hands.
Kemp and Torrealba wrestled on the infield grass as both benches and bullpens emptied. Both players were ejected in the Rockies’ 3-0 win.
“I’m more concerned about the games than the fine,” said Kemp, who declined to reveal the amount. “I’m letting my team down. I mean, four games, that’s a lot of games. I just don’t want to miss any games.”
CARDINALS: Mark Worrell of St. Louis homered in his first major league at-bat in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals on Thursday night. Worrell, a relief pitcher appearing in his second game, hit a 3-2 pitch off Tim Redding over the left field wall for a three-run homer. Worrell is the eighth Cardinals player to homer in his first at-bat in the major leagues.
CUBS: Tribune Company CEO Sam Zell says the company is pushing ahead with the sale of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field and bidders should get the financial books within the week. Zell told lenders on a Thursday conference call that preliminary bids will be due in July. He says Tribune continues to explore a possible sale of Wrigley by itself to an Illinois state agency, but won’t delay the overall sale while trying to make that happen.
YANKEES: Outfielder Johnny Damon acknowledged that Joba Chamberlain’s transition from reliever to starter has created some short-term challenges for New York.
“It’s going to help out our team in the long run,” Damon said before Thursday’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays. “In the short run, we’re going to have to find a way to get the ball to Mariano.”
Chamberlain was dominant in setting up closer Mariano Rivera.
“Probably the best in the game,” Damon said. “We could have used him on our last road trip,” he added. “There’s no doubt about it. Could we have won those games? Maybe, maybe not.”
Associated Press
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