Sexson's suspension for charging mound reduced to 5 games

Texas Rangers pitcher Kason Gabbard is tackled by Seattle Mariners' Richie Sexson (44) after Gobbard threw a pitch close to Sexson in the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game in Seattle on Thursday, May 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

SEATTLE—Richie Sexson's suspension for charging the mound in Seattle's 5-0 loss to Texas on Thursday was reduced from six games to five.

The Mariners said Sexson would begin the suspension with Saturday night's game against the Chicago White Sox. He will miss the final two games of the series against the White Sox, and all three games Monday through Wednesday against the Rangers in Texas.

Sexson charged the mound and flung his helmet at Kason Gabbard after the left-hander threw an eye-high pitch to him that was more over the plate than inside in the fourth inning of Thursday night's game.

Sexson appealed the suspension, and Major League Baseball and Mariners officials held a conference-call hearing Saturday.

"It's acceptable for what happened," Sexson said. "With the helmet, I'm happy with five. It could've been worse."

Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charge of discipline, had cited Sexson for "violent and aggressive actions."

Seattle's Felix Hernandez and Texas' Gerald Laird and Sidney Ponson also were fined.

Miguel Cairo started Saturday in place of Sexson, who is batting .202 with seven homers and 18 RBIs.