BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Nixon Suspended for Four Games

Otis Nixon of the Atlanta Braves was suspended for four games and Wally Ritchie of the Philadelphia Phillies for one game as the result of a brawl in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s game between the teams. The fight started when Ritchie hit Nixon with a pitch and the Braves’ outfielder charged the mound.

He knocked Ritchie to the ground with a lunging kick, then threw several punches before the players on both benches emptied and the fight was broken up.

“All I know is that Otis beat the living daylights out of him,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said at the time. “I’m happy.”

“He deserved it,” Nixon said after the brawl. “I’m not that kind of player, but he threw at me.”

Both players were fined an undisclosed amount. They have appealed the suspensions and fines, and will be eligible to play pending the appeals.