Ramírez gets 3-game suspension for throwing at Hoskins

NEW YORK -- Mets reliever Yohan Ramírez received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at first baseman Rhys Hoskins during Saturday’s 7-6 loss to the Brewers at Citi Field, Major League Baseball announced on Sunday. Manager Carlos Mendoza also received a one-game suspension.

During the top of the seventh inning, with Hoskins already having a great day at the plate with three hits, including his first home run of the season, Ramírez whizzed a 94-mph fastball behind Hoskins' back. The benches did not empty, but Ramírez was thrown out of the game. He said after the game that the pitch had not been intentional.

The incident came after Hoskins slid hard into second base and nearly spiked second baseman Jeff McNeil in the eighth inning of the opener on Friday, which led to the benches clearing.

Ramírez's suspension was set to begin Sunday, when the two clubs concluded their series in New York. However, Ramírez elected to file an appeal. Thus, the discipline will be held in abeyance until the appeal process is complete. Mendoza served his suspension during Sunday's series finale.

“Yeah, I was really surprised when I arrived at the ballpark and the [team] gave me that news right before I went out to go practice. That’s why I decided to appeal [the suspension],” Ramírez said through interpreter Alan Suriel. “I knew I was going to appeal, because I know it wasn’t intentional. Like I said yesterday, my pitch runs a lot, so sometimes -- in a case like yesterday -- I tried to throw my sinker and it ended up running [inside]. That’s why I decided to appeal right away. I know I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Ramírez ended up entering the game in the fifth inning during New York’s 4-1 loss to Milwaukee on Sunday. He pitched three innings, allowing two runs on five hits, but he held Hoskins hitless in two at-bats without incident.

In the fifth inning, Hoskins struck out on a foul tip. He lined out to Brett Baty two innings later.

“I was a little bit uncomfortable with the situation that happened yesterday. I was trying to explain my case, but they just weren’t having it,” Ramírez said. “Today, it was a little bit uncomfortable. At the same time, I can’t give up. I need to go out there and continue to battle. In some cases, like the game today, I was throwing my sinker outside, and it would still run a little bit on the inside.”