Athleticstalk.com | Oakland Athletics News, athletics Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>Boston right-hander Josh Beckett was stunned yesterday after receiving a six-game suspension from Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week. </div>Beckett, who immediately appealed the ruling, also was fined an undisclosed amount and cited for "aggressive actions" after the pitch that led to the benches clearing Sunday, according to Bob Watson, vice president for discipline in the commissioner's office. "We were pretty shocked," Beckett said before the Red Sox's game against the Athletics in Oakland, Calif. "I think the appeal speaks for everything that we feel. I respect the job they have to do, but I don't agree." Any suspension wouldn't begin until after Beckett's appeal is decided, likely allowing him to make his next scheduled start on Saturday against Baltimore. Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher also was angry after being suspended for one game and fined, although he served the penalty last night at Seattle. In addition, Watson fined Angels manager Mike Scioscia and players Torii Hunter and Justin Speier. The incident began when Abreu was granted a timeout after a long pause on the mound by Beckett, who was holding Chone Figgins on second base. Beckett finished his throwing motion in any pitcher's normal attempt to avoid injury from a sudden stop, but his throw went in the direction of Abreu's head. Beckett insists the throw's direction was unintentional. "It's what we're taught to do," Beckett said. "We have to kind of protect ourselves in those situations. That ball could have ended up anywhere, and that's unfortunate where it ended up. That's why I'm standing dealing with all this stuff." The throw infuriated the Angels' bench and Abreu, who raised his arms and stared at Beckett. The pitcher then moved toward Abreu, causing both benches to clear, although no real fighting went on. "I don't really feel like I've done anything," Beckett said. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Am I supposed to give him a hug? I wasn't really in a hugging mood right then. I really don't know what he wanted me to do." Boston manager Terry Francona left Anaheim under the impression that the umpiring crew didn't feel Beckett or the Red Sox had done anything wrong. "I didn't expect to hear from the league," Francona said. "Sounds like they overruled the umpires, and that's disturbing." "I understand where the ball went, and I understand why they (Angels) were yelling," Francona added. "When guys are yelling at Beckett, you can't leave the field and just let him stand out there. I did not think he was the aggressor. I'm sure we'll have our say at some point. It's obvious he's going to appeal. I'm disappointed we're even going through this." Hatcher also was unhappy he was suspended for what he said was merely yelling. "I think it's brutal," Hatcher said. "I've been in a lot of brawls and never been thrown out. Nobody should have been thrown out - except one person (Beckett). There were no punches, just a lot of words being said." Monday night Nomar Garciaparra stepped up to the batter's box and thought it was kind of funny to see Jason Varitek crouched behind home plate. "It was just the strangest thing," Garciaparra said of facing his old team for the first time. "The last time I saw Varitek behind the plate like that was in an intersquad game a long time ago. It just felt weird." The situation didn't faze Garciaparra, though. He and Jack Cust each homered, and Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday both drove in two runs as the Oakland Athletics beat the Red Sox , 8-2, Monday night for their first home win of the season. Garciaparra, who played for Boston from 1996-2004, gave the A's a 6-1 lead with his fifth-inning home run. Dallas Braden (1-1) pitched six solid innings, and the Athletics ended a three-game losing skid. Braden allowed two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three. Orlando Cabrera and Bobby Crosby also drove in runs for the A's. Kevin Youkilis hit a home run and doubled for the Red Sox , who lost for the fifth time in six games. David Ortiz also drove in a run for Boston, which is off to its worst start since opening 2-12 in 1996. Jon Lester (0-2) allowed six runs and 10 hits. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter. Denker added to roster The Boston Red Sox optioned infielder Travis Denker to Triple-A Pawtucket after claiming him off waivers from the San Diego Padres. To make room for Denker on the 40-man roster, general manager Theo Epstein said right-hander Miguel Gonzalez was being transferred to the 60-day disabled list after elbow surgery. The 23-year-old Denker made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants last year, hitting .243 with one homer and three RBIs in 24 games.

Boston right-hander Josh Beckett was stunned yesterday after receiving a six-game suspension from Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week.

Beckett, who immediately appealed the ruling, also was fined an undisclosed amount and cited for "aggressive actions" after the pitch that led to the benches clearing Sunday, according to Bob Watson, vice president for discipline in the commissioner's office.

"We were pretty shocked," Beckett said before the Red Sox's game against the Athletics in Oakland, Calif. "I think the appeal speaks for everything that we feel. I respect the job they have to do, but I don't agree."

Any suspension wouldn't begin until after Beckett's appeal is decided, likely allowing him to make his next scheduled start on Saturday against Baltimore.

Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher also was angry after being suspended for one game and fined, although he served the penalty last night at Seattle. In addition, Watson fined Angels manager Mike Scioscia and players Torii Hunter and Justin Speier.

The incident began when Abreu was granted a timeout after a long pause on the mound by Beckett, who was holding Chone Figgins on second base. Beckett finished his throwing motion in any pitcher's normal attempt to avoid injury from a sudden stop, but his throw went in the direction of Abreu's head.

Beckett insists the throw's direction was unintentional.

"It's what we're taught to do," Beckett said. "We have to kind of protect ourselves in those situations. That ball could have ended up anywhere, and that's unfortunate where it ended up. That's why I'm standing dealing with all this stuff."

The throw infuriated the Angels' bench and Abreu, who raised his arms and stared at Beckett. The pitcher then moved toward Abreu, causing both benches to clear, although no real fighting went on.

"I don't really feel like I've done anything," Beckett said. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Am I supposed to give him a hug? I wasn't really in a hugging mood right then. I really don't know what he wanted me to do."

Boston manager Terry Francona left Anaheim under the impression that the umpiring crew didn't feel Beckett or the Red Sox had done anything wrong.

"I didn't expect to hear from the league," Francona said. "Sounds like they overruled the umpires, and that's disturbing."

"I understand where the ball went, and I understand why they (Angels) were yelling," Francona added. "When guys are yelling at Beckett, you can't leave the field and just let him stand out there. I did not think he was the aggressor. I'm sure we'll have our say at some point. It's obvious he's going to appeal. I'm disappointed we're even going through this."

Hatcher also was unhappy he was suspended for what he said was merely yelling.

"I think it's brutal," Hatcher said. "I've been in a lot of brawls and never been thrown out. Nobody should have been thrown out - except one person (Beckett). There were no punches, just a lot of words being said."

Monday night

Nomar Garciaparra stepped up to the batter's box and thought it was kind of funny to see Jason Varitek crouched behind home plate.

"It was just the strangest thing," Garciaparra said of facing his old team for the first time. "The last time I saw Varitek behind the plate like that was in an intersquad game a long time ago. It just felt weird."

The situation didn't faze Garciaparra, though. He and Jack Cust each homered, and Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday both drove in two runs as the Oakland Athletics beat the Red Sox , 8-2, Monday night for their first home win of the season.

Garciaparra, who played for Boston from 1996-2004, gave the A's a 6-1 lead with his fifth-inning home run.

Dallas Braden (1-1) pitched six solid innings, and the Athletics ended a three-game losing skid. Braden allowed two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three. Orlando Cabrera and Bobby Crosby also drove in runs for the A's.

Kevin Youkilis hit a home run and doubled for the Red Sox , who lost for the fifth time in six games. David Ortiz also drove in a run for Boston, which is off to its worst start since opening 2-12 in 1996.

Jon Lester (0-2) allowed six runs and 10 hits. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter.

Denker added to roster

The Boston Red Sox optioned infielder Travis Denker to Triple-A Pawtucket after claiming him off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

To make room for Denker on the 40-man roster, general manager Theo Epstein said right-hander Miguel Gonzalez was being transferred to the 60-day disabled list after elbow surgery.

The 23-year-old Denker made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants last year, hitting .243 with one homer and three RBIs in 24 games.