Gomez suspended 5 games by MLB
Cleveland pitcher Jeanmar Gomez has been suspended for five games and fined by Major League Baseball, which concluded he intentionally threw at the Royals' Mike Moustakas last weekend.
Gomez and Cleveland manager Manny Acta said Wednesday that Gomez will appeal the suspension.
''We respect the league's decisions, and we'll make the proper adjustments,'' Acta said. ''Gomez is going to appeal and he will pitch on Saturday against Oakland. Then probably, after that, he'll drop it and pitch again the very next Saturday.''
Gomez hit Moustakas in the third inning of Cleveland's 11-9, 10-inning win at Kansas City on Saturday, causing benches to clear to the second time. Kansas City's Jonathan Sanchez had plunked Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo in the top half and broke Choo's thumb last season when he hit him during an interleague game between the San Francisco Giants and the Indians.
Gomez, Acta and Cleveland third baseman Jack Hannahan were ejected. Gomez and Acta were fined undisclosed amounts. Hannahan was fined $500.
''I didn't really think it was a big deal,'' Hannahan said. ''It's baseball. That's how baseball is supposed to be played.''
Gomez said he did not intentionally throw at Moustakas.
''I'm surprised,'' Gomez said.
Hannahan felt the players were policing themselves.
''It's not like (Gomez) was throwing it at his head,'' Hannahan said. ''He hit him in the butt. He's just protecting his position players, and that's what pitchers are supposed to do.''
MLB senior vice president Joe Garagiola Jr. issued the suspension Wednesday.