Suspension begins for Pujols

ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals dropped his appeal of a two-game suspension Tuesday and began serving the penalty in the opening game of a nine-game homestand.

The Cardinals wanted Pujols' suspension for punching Padres catcher Gary Bennett on July 13 reduced to one game, partly because no one else involved was suspended. They dropped the appeal because Pujols, who has a 30-game hitting streak, would have missed Tuesday's game anyway due to flulike symptoms that also sidelined him on Sunday in Philadelphia.

Pujols received IV fluids at a St. Louis hospital Monday, the Cardinals' day off. He was at home Tuesday night, manager Tony La Russa said before St. Louis played Pittsburgh.

Earlier Tuesday, La Russa said he thought Pujols would be available to play today "if he's eligible." Miguel Cairo played left field in place of Pujols on Tuesday and Edgar Renteria hit third in the order, Pujols' spot.

A hearing on the appeal was postponed last week due to the blackout on the East Coast.

Pujols is batting a major league-best .371 and his streak is the longest in the major leagues since Luis Castillo of the Marlins hit in 35 straight from May 8 to June 21, 2002. His streak is tied for the second-longest in team history and is the Cardinals' longest streak since Stan Musial hit in 30 straight in 1950.

Pujols and Bennett clashed after he was hit in the shoulder blade by the first pitch he saw from Adam Eaton in the first inning, a day after he lingered at the plate after hitting a game-winning home run.

Eaton was ejected, and Pujols, Bennett and Padres manager Bruce Bochy also were kicked out. During a confrontation near the plate, Pujols punched Bennett.

Bennett was fined for acting aggressively toward Pujols, and Bochy was penalized for what he said to umpire Mark Carlson.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Bennett was at fault because he pushed Pujols away from the mound after he was hit.

"Albert doesn't deserve to be in this position," La Russa said before Tuesday's game.