Reds C Mesoraco suspended 3 games for bumping ump

[August 02, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is appealing his three-game suspension for making contact with an umpire during an argument.

The rookie will be allowed to play until his appeal is heard.

Mesoraco was suspended and fined Wednesday by Major League Baseball, two days after he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes during an 11-5 loss to San Diego. Before leaving the field, he poked a finger at plate umpire Chad Fairchild's chest protector and bumped him.

Mesoraco was batting .221 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 46 games for the NL Central leaders. His punishment was handed out by Joe Garagiola Jr., senior vice president of standards and on-field operations for MLB.

[Associated Press]

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