Sexson appeals 6-game suspension

Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson wasn't talking Friday about what might be his most memorable hits of the season — the batting helmet tossed and the punches thrown at Texas pitcher Kason Gabbard on Thursday.

But he apparently plans to say a lot to Bob Watson, baseball's vice president of discipline, when he gets his chance.

Sexson on Friday was suspended for six games for triggering Thursday's benches-clearing melee. It started after Sexson took offense at a high pitch from Gabbard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Seattle starter Felix Hernandez had plunked Texas' Ian Kinsler in the top of the inning.

Watson called Sexson's actions "violent and aggressive."

Watson also levied undisclosed fines on Hernandez and Texas catcher Gerald Laird and pitcher Sidney Ponson for their actions during the melee that followed.

Sexson plans to appeal the suspension, and because of that declined to speak about the incident, apparently upon advice of the players' union.

But Mariners manager John McLaren said the team plans to give Sexson some talking points for his meeting with Watson. That meeting could happen soon, though no date is set.

McLaren hinted that some of the Rangers said things that might have helped precipitate the incident, though he wouldn't give details.

"There were some things said last night that we are aware of that we can use in our defense," he said. "We'll get with Richie so that when he does appeal he'll have some things that he can give Bob."

Sexson remains eligible to play pending the outcome of his appeal; he batted sixth Friday night against the Chicago White Sox.

McLaren said he thought Sexson might have received as stiff a penalty as he did because he threw his helmet at Gabbard.

"It's a tough situation," McLaren said. "Richie's frustrated and he's had some issues off the field. And I think, talking to Richie, he expected maybe for them to retaliate, and when the ball was up in the eye area, it wasn't over inside toward his head, but when your eyes see that, you react, and he reacted. He was real frustrated and he went out to the mound. I wish he had dropped his helmet off on the way, but he didn't."

Hernandez, who had to be restrained by three players, also avoided the media Friday. He also hit Laird with a pitch in the second inning of a 5-0 loss to the Rangers.

McLaren hopes the incident will be a turning point for a struggling team that had lost eight of nine entering Friday.

"Sometimes situations like this get a team over the hump," he said. "We are hoping that's the case. But it wasn't something that was designed like 'let's go out to the mound and rally the troops.' It just happened. But I've seen where it has pulled teams together."

McLaren, however, said he doesn't think the hard feelings will linger for future games with the Rangers.

He won't have to wait long to find out. The two teams open a three-game series Monday in Texas. Gabbard and Hernandez are scheduled to face each other again Tuesday.

"I don't anticipate anything carrying over," McLaren said. "We respect Texas, and they respect us. It was heat of the moment. It's over. Let's put it behind us and move forward."