Astros’ Kent Will Appeal Suspension

Houston Astro second baseman Jeff Kent was suspended for two games and fined Tuesday as a result of his argument with umpire Matt Hollowell during a game against the Chicago Cubs on July 26.

Kent appealed the penalty and was in Houston’s lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets.

A date for a hearing has not been set. The suspension, imposed by Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson, will not take effect until the appeal is heard.

Kent is alleged to have pushed Houston Manager Jimy Williams into Hollowell after being ejected while disputing a check swing call.

“We will appeal it based on the fact that I was in the right,” Kent said. “The umpire made a bad call. It is an issue that I believe I should appeal, that’s my right.”

*

Baltimore Oriole left fielder Melvin Mora was put on the disabled list to give him time to recover from a nagging hand injury.

“While his hand is getting better, we didn’t think he would be ready anytime soon,” Baltimore Manager Mike Hargrove said.

Mora, fourth in the AL with a .325 average, hasn’t made a plate appearance since July 27. But because he pinch-ran July 31 in Minnesota, the move is retroactive to Aug. 1.

Baltimore recalled outfielder Jack Cust from triple-A Ottawa to replace Mora on the roster. It’s his third stint with the Orioles, but he has yet to play in a game.

Mora had a strained ligament in his right hand after being hit by a pitch from Greg Maddux on June 20. Mora returned five days later, but he wasn’t able to shake the pain and was mired in his worst slump of the season before his recent stretch of inactivity.

*

The New York Mets purchased the contract of catcher Joe Depastino from triple-A Norfolk. Depastino was hitting .264 with two home runs with the Tides. To make room for Depastino, the Mets optioned right-hander Jeremy Griffiths to Norfolk.... Reliever Joe Valentine was called up from the minors by the Cincinnati Reds. He takes the place of starter Jimmy Haynes, who was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a bulging disk in his back.... The Kansas City Royals recalled outfielder Julius Matos and optioned reliever Nate Field to triple-A Omaha.