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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Sport
Mike Mazzeo

Yankees' Austin suspended five games; Red Sox pitcher Kelly suspended six

BOSTON _ Tyler Austin got five for fighting.

Austin received a five-game suspension from MLB for his role in Wednesday's Yankees-Red Sox brawl, while Joe Kelly received a six-game ban from the league.

Both players are appealing their suspensions, meaning they will be eligible to play in Thursday's game.

Aaron Boone said he didn't expect any carryover in the final game of the three-game series at Fenway Park.

"I think hopefully it's something that's behind us," Boone said. "We're here to play and try to get out of here hopefully with another win. I would think it's absolutely behind us."

Asked about the possibility of retaliating, Brian Cashman replied: "I don't think anybody is looking for that."

Austin slid hard into second base during the third, clipping Brock Holt with his spikes, which led to Holt taking exception and the benches clearing as words were exchanged, with no punches thrown.

Four innings later, however, all hell broke loose, with Kelly drilling Austin with a 2-1, 98-mph fastball in the left elbow. Austin slammed his bat, threw his helmet and charged the mound.

Players on the disabled list who left the dugout were fined as well, including CC Sabathia, Xander Bogaerts, Marco Hernandez and Dustin Pedroia.

"Whatever it is, I should be able to cover it," joked Sabathia before the fine came out. Looking to protect his teammates, Sabathia pushed a pair of Sox during the melee.

Austin had his left elbow wrapped in the clubhouse before the game.

"I'm fine. The elbow is a little swollen from where the pitch hit me, but other than that I'm good," he said.

The brawl has been the biggest story in sports, dissected and debated across all platforms.

"I've tried not to pay attention to it, to be honest with you," Austin said. "It's hard not to, when it's on every TV channel, but for the most part I've tried to keep off of reading comments on social media and watching the TV."

Boone said he wouldn't be surprised if no warnings were issued prior to Thursday's game.

"At some point, things have to end and you've got to put things behind," Boone said. "You've always got to try to protect your own, but you've got to be a pro too. At the end of the day, the biggest thing is, we're trying to win ballgames. Our guys know that and that's the long-term focus all the time. You've got to be able to separate, especially when emotions get hot sometimes."

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