Brewers’ Carlos Gomez, Braves’ Reed Johnson punished for scuffle

Milwaukee’s Carlos Gomez acknowledged he went too far with a hyped-up home run trot that ended in a benches-clearing scuffle against the Atlanta Braves.

Gomez was suspended Thursday along with Atlanta’s Reed Johnson for one game by Major League Baseball for their actions during the Brewers-Braves game a day earlier. Both players were fined an undisclosed amount.

Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Brian McCann also were fined for their involvement.

Gomez accepted the penalty and sat out the series opener against the New York Mets on Thursday. Johnson was contemplating an appeal, said Braves General Manager Frank Wren.

Batting second for the Brewers on Wednesday night in Atlanta, Gomez connected on Paul Maholm’s 0-1 pitch in the first inning for a long home run to left-center field. Gomez slammed his bat down and admired the drive in the batter’s box before starting a slow trot while shouting at Maholm. Freeman had words for Gomez as he rounded first base.

Gomez continued shouting toward Maholm, and he pointed at his leg just before he rounded third base — Maholm hit Gomez in his leg with an 88-mph fastball on June 23.

An irate McCann greeted Gomez about 20 feet in front of home plate. Benches and bullpens then emptied, and Johnson, a reserve outfielder, raced out of the dugout and shoved Gomez. Gomez, Johnson, Freeman and reserve catcher Gerald Laird were ejected.

Milwaukee third baseman Aramis Ramirez aggravated a left knee injury during the scrum and was not in the lineup Thursday.

Rivera might play center field

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi says he’s thinking about allowing Mariano Rivera to play center field this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros.

The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said he’d like to play the outfield.