Bradley to Miss Series

The Dodgers will face the Angels without Milton Bradley this weekend as the center fielder Thursday began serving a four-game suspension for an on-field tirade.

Bradley dropped his appeal of the suspension and $2,500 fine issued by Bob Watson, baseball’s administrator in charge of on-field discipline, after Bradley engaged in a fiery exchange with home plate umpire Terry Craft before and after being ejected June 1 in a 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.

During the incident, Bradley retrieved a bag of balls from the dugout and dumped them near the third-base bag, delaying the game for several minutes. Bradley was also ejected earlier this season after disputing a called third strike.

Bradley declined comment after a 9-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Watson, who does not comment while appeals are pending, on Thursday said Bradley’s behavior was unacceptable.

“Everyone saw the conduct that he exhibited on the field, and it was definitely unprofessional,” Watson said. “We felt the fine and the suspension were appropriate.” Bradley sat out the Dodgers’ last two games against the Giants because of right shoulder soreness and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam today in Los Angeles.

After sitting out the three-game interleague series beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium, the switch-hitter would be eligible to rejoin the lineup Tuesday as the Dodgers play host to the Giants.