BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon will appeal a three-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball on Tuesday after the fiery pitcher was ejected from a game against Oakland.
Papelbon is still eligible to play during the appeal process and he made the most of it on Tuesday, recording his 12th save of the season in Boston's 6-4 victory over the New York Yankees.
The pitcher was handed the suspension, as well as a fine for an undisclosed amount, after he made contact with the home plate umpire in a game against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
Papelbon said he was communicating with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia when the home plate umpire interfered, leading to the confrontation.
"Like I said from the beginning, I was walking away, and I turned around and I didn't feel like I started the whole issue," Papelbon told the Red Sox website (boston.redsox.mlb.com).
"I don't feel like I was really the one that made the whole situation go the way it did. Hopefully Major League Baseball will see that."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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