Kelly, Austin suspended after Red Sox-Yankees brawl

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Joe Kelly was suspended for six games while New York Yankees designated hitter Tyler ASustin was banned for five games because of Wednesday night's bench-clearing brawl between the longtime AL East rivals, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.

Both players were also fined undetermined amounts and both plan to appeal their punishments.

Four other players currently on the disabled list were fined for their on-field actions Wednesday night at Fenway Park: Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and Red Sox infielders Xander Bogaerts, Marco Hernandez and Dustin Pedroia. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin also were fined.

The game, won 10-7 by the Yankees, included two bench-clearing incidents. The second, in the seventh inning, turned into an on-field brawl after Kelly hit the Austin with a pitch in the back.

That pitch appeared to be in retaliation for Austin's hard slide in the third inning when his lead foot clipped the foot of Red Sox shortstop Brock Holt during a forceout. The benches emptied then as well, but there was no further incident.

Both Austin and Kelly were ejected in the seventh inning after Austin slammed his bat to the ground after being hit with the pitch, a 98-mph fastball, then charged the mound. Two others were ejected in the melee: Yankees pitcher Tommy Kahnle and Nevin.

The two rivals meet again Thursday night with the teams having split the first two games of the season series.

--Field Level Media