Martin, Snider appealing suspensions

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates' Travis Snider and Russell Martin are appealing the suspensions handed down to them on Tuesday by Major League Baseball for their involvement in Sunday's altercation with the Brewers.

Their suspensions -- two games for Snider, one for Martin -- thus held in abeyance until a hearing, both were in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Reds.

"I'm definitely appealing," Martin said on his way out of the clubhouse for batting practice.

Snider wasn't available to personally comment, but manager Clint Hurdle said, "Travis has already gotten to me that he will appeal."

When word of the suspensions arrived, Hurdle and general manager Neal Huntington met with both players, explaining the process and running down their options.

"Neal had a very candid conversation [with Joe Garagiola, MLB's senior vice president of standards and on-field operations], and I hope to catch up with Joe [on Wednesday] and have one as well," Hurdle said. "Do the penalties fit the crime?"

Hurdle did not specifically apply that last statement to the fact Milwaukee's Martin Maldonado was suspended for five games and Carlos Gomez for three. Maldonado could be seen on video of the incident taking a swing at Snider from behind, and Gomez's reaction to being verbally reprimanded by Gerrit Cole fueled an escalation of the rhubarb.

"Do the math, watch the video," Hurdle said in reference to the difference in the levied punishment. "We'll never condone players getting on the field and fighting. But when there is a fight or punches are thrown, appropriate measures need to be taken. And we want to make sure the punishment and the crime match up. The punishment needs to fit the crimes."