Baseball suspends Richie Sexson

NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball Friday suspended Seattle Mariners slugger Richie Sexson 6 games for violent and aggressive actions during Thursday's game against Texas.

The veteran first baseman charged the mound and threw his helmet at Rangers hurler Keith Gabbard following a close fastball in the bottom of the fourth inning. Both benches cleared, but no punches were thrown.

Sexson was ejected.

Seattle starter Felix Hernandez drilled the Rangers' Ian Kinsler with a fastball during the top of the inning. Kinsler had hit a two-run homer off Hernandez in the top of the second.

Bob Watson, major league baseball's vice-president of on-field operations, issued the suspension and also fined Sexson an undisclosed amount.

The suspension was to begin with Friday's Mariners' contest against the Chicago White Sox, but was delayed because Sexson has appealed.

Hernandez and the Rangers' Gerald Laird and Sidney Ponson were fined an undisclosed amount for their involvement.