Bochy suspended one game; Kontos gets three

PITTSBURGH -- Shortly after the Giants optioned righty George Kontos to Triple-A Fresno and recalled Sandy Rosario from the same club Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced suspensions of one game for Giants manager Bruce Bochy and three games for Kontos. Bochy will serve his suspension during Wednesday night's game.

Kontos was also fined an undisclosed amount for throwing a pitch at the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen in the eighth inning of Tuesday's game at PNC Park after a warning had been issued to both clubs. The suspension will not be served until Kontos returns to the Major Leagues, and if he elects to file an appeal, the suspension will be deferred until the process is complete.

Kontos ranked among the National League leaders in appearances for much of the season. But until Tuesday, when he yielded three runs and four hits in 1 1/3 innings before being ejected, Kontos hadn't pitched since June 1, when he appeared in both games of a split doubleheader at St. Louis.

Kontos, who was 2-1 with a 5.76 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings, acknowledged that confidence was his main issue.

"I have to go down there, have some success and get it back," he said.

Improved pitch location would help, Kontos added.

"I've been about six inches to a foot higher this year," he said. "Big league guys don't miss that pitch."

Kontos, who happened to turn 28 Wednesday, observed that his demotion wasn't the worst baseball-related incident to befall him on his birthday. Pitching in the Yankees organization four years ago, he tore ligaments in his elbow.

This will be the third Giants stint this season for Rosario, 27. He also was with San Francisco from April 29-May 2 and May 21-27. Bochy said that the need for a long reliever prompted the Giants to summon Rosario, who can fill that role.

Rosario has allowed two runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings spanning four appearances in the Majors this season. At Triple-A, Rosario compiled a 2.78 ERA and four saves with 35 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings spanning 21 games.