BOSTON -- Major League Baseball wasted no time issuing discipline from Wednesday's Red Sox-Yankees melee, handing a six-game suspension to Boston righty Joe Kelly and a five-game suspension to New York infielder Christopher Austin.
Both players have appealed their suspensions, meaning they are available for Thursday's rubber match of the three-game rivalry series at Fenway Park.
Kelly drilled Austin in the back in the top of the seventh inning of Wednesday's eventual 10-7 Yankees win. It seemed to be retaliation for Austin sliding in with his right foot high and spiking shortstop Brock Holt in the third inning.

Once Austin was hit by the pitch, he slammed his bat down and Kelly gestured for him to meet up at the mound. Both players got several punches in as the benches and bullpens emptied.
Kelly and Austin also received undisclosed fines.

Several others received fines, including Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Yankees third-base coach Phil Nevin.
Yankees lefty Carsten Sabathia, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and infielder Marco Hernandez all received fines for entering the playing field while being on the disabled list.

"I think hopefully it's something that's behind us," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. "We're here to play and try to get out of here hopefully with another win. I would think it's absolutely behind us."