Giants third baseman Matt Chapman wins suspension appeal, reaches settlement with MLB to accept fine

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman’s one-game suspension was dropped by Major League Baseball on Friday and he instead will pay a fine for his role in a benches-clearing incident at Colorado on Sept. 2.

The Giants made the announcement ahead of Friday’s opener in a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, saying an agreement with the Commissioner’s Office had been reached.

Chapman had faced a suspension and an undisclosed fine after he made contact with Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland.

Chapman, Freeland and Giants shortstop Willy Adames were ejected following the first-inning fracas during San Francisco’s 7-4 win at Coors Field, then Chapman led the Giants past the Rockies 10-8 a night later — playing the game as the appeal was considered.

“I like it,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday. “Based on the fact nobody else got suspended for a day I felt like there was a pretty good chance. So all along it’s something he wanted to do and felt good about. It seems like it’s the right thing.”

Freeland, Adames and Rafael Devers also were fined for their involvement. Tempers flared after Devers hit a two-run homer in the first inning and admired it before beginning his slow trot.

Devers crushed a sweeper over the right field wall and then Freeland took exception with Devers’ celebration, prompting both players to shout at each other.

Several players charged toward the infield, and MLB said Chapman was disciplined for “pushing” Freeland. Adames also was in the middle of the scrum.

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By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer