Ponson Is Charged With Drunk Driving

Sidney Ponson was arrested early Thursday and charged with drunk driving, the latest legal problem for the pitcher considered the ace of the Baltimore Orioles’ staff a year ago.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested him on Interstate 95, just south of Baltimore, said Cpl. Pamela Thorne, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Authorities said Ponson was stopped for tailgating, given a field sobriety test and charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired. At the station, he refused a breath test, which carries an automatic 120-day suspension of his license for a first offense.

The Orioles and Ponson’s agent, Barry Praver, did not immediately return calls.

Ponson was charged in January with driving under the influence in Florida, and the case has not yet been resolved. That arrest came weeks after he spent 11 days in an Aruban jail for a Dec. 25 fight at a beach. He apologized for the fight and reached a settlement that involved community service and a charitable contribution.

A year ago, Ponson was considered the team’s ace and was the opening-day pitcher in 2004. He is 7-11 with a 6.21 earned-run average and hasn’t won since June 18. He has been on the disabled list with a calf strain and hasn’t pitched since Aug. 7.

An MRI exam Wednesday found a torn thumb ligament, and he was expected to be sidelined at least three more weeks.

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Atlanta Brave left-hander Mike Hampton, on the disabled list for the fourth time this season, has been told to rest for three to five days after a test showed he has a herniated disk.

Dr. Lee Kelly, a back specialist, examined Hampton on Thursday, determined a change from a bulging disk to a herniated one and gave him an epidural injection, the team said.