Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto suspended two games but appeals

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto received a two-game suspension and an undisclosed fine resulting from his ejection in the eighth inning of Wednesday night's game.

The suspension was scheduled to begin with Friday night's game against the first-place St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park, but Votto chose to appeal.

"I respect Major League Baseball's suspension," Votto told reporters outside the Reds' clubhouse before Friday's game. "I respect that they have to penalize me. But I also have to stand up for myself. I've been hammered publicly for this."

Votto was ejected with the tying runs aboard in the eighth inning after home plate umpire Bill Welke refused to grant his request for time before a 1-1 pitch that was called a strike. Votto turned toward the Reds' dugout appealing to manager Bryan Price for help. It was at that point that Welke ejected him.

"I've played for (eight) years now," Votto said. "I'm granted a little extra time as long as I'm not showing up an umpire. I said, 'Can I please have time?' I said 'please' multiple times. (Welke) looked at me and said, 'No, you can't have time.' At no point was I disrespectful before the ejection."

When Votto was tossed, however, he slammed his helmet to the ground and at one point was nose to nose with Welke before being restrained.

Votto denied making contact with Welke, although video showed he got close.

Catcher Ramon Cabrera replaced Votto with the count 1-2 and lined his first major league hit to right field to drive in a run. But Cincinnati couldn't complete the rally in a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh.

Since the All-Star break, Votto leads the major leagues in batting average (.392), on-base percentage (.568) and walks (66).

Votto's laser-like focus at the plate is partly responsible for those numbers and his career .423 on-base percentage, which is tops among active players. It also might've contributed to the situation on Wednesday.

"I am very focused and serious when I'm up there," Votto said. "(After not being granted time by Welke), I felt boxed in ... I couldn't step away and get back to neutral in the most intense part of the game. The perception is that (Welke) and I had a problem the entire game and I was complaining about balls and strikes the entire game, and that's not true."