Source: Ortiz to appeal four-game suspension

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By Sean McAdam
CSNNE.com Red Sox InsiderFollow @sean_mcadam
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- David Ortiz, suspended for four games for charging the mound in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 8, intends to appeal the suspension and will be in the lineup when the Red Sox resume the second half, an industry source said Thursday.

Ortiz went out after Baltimore reliever Kevin Gregg after Gregg came inside on three pitches, then yelled at Ortiz after the Red Sox DH was slow to run out a fly ball to shallow right field.

Ortiz took a wild left uppercut which missed Gregg as both benches emptied.

Major League Baseball also suspended Gregg for four games. MLB also suspended reliever Mike Gonzalez, who threw behind Ortiz two days later, for three games and Baltimore manager Buck Showalter for one game.

The Red Sox and Orioles are scheduled to meet Monday for the start of a three-game series.

It's unknown how quickly Ortiz can have his appeal heard.

A source familiar with Ortiz's thinking said the Red Sox slugger didn't want to miss the big weekend series with Tampa, which remains just six games behind the Sox in the American League East.

Also, Ortiz was concerned that beginning his suspension Friday (and carrying through Monday night) would mean missing an entire week, thanks to the four-day All-Star break, and was worried what effect that would have on his swing.

Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam

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