Tribe's Lee suspended 6 games for throwing ball behind Griffey

ATLANTA (AP) -- Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee was suspended for six games Saturday for throwing behind Ken Griffey Jr.'s head.
Lee's fastball whizzed behind Griffey in the fourth inning last Sunday, and plate umpire Matt Hollowell tossed the left-hander almost as quickly as the ball reached the backstop.
That came an inning after Lee gave up the 499th home run of Griffey's career.
The Cincinnati Reds star pulled a 1-1 pitch over the wall in right, pausing to watch its flight as fans in the lower tier of seats scrambled for the souvenir.
Lee, who maintained he wasn't trying to hit Griffey, appealed the suspension. No date had been set for a hearing.
Wedge's view
"Cliff had a dead arm that day and was all over the place with his fastball," Indians manager Eric Wedge said before Saturday's game against Atlanta. "It's not like he has a history with any of this."
Lee was not with the Indians at Turner Field on Saturday and could not be reached for comment at the team's hotel. Doctors believe Lee's 2-year-old son, Jaxon, has chicken pox. Lee -- who hasn't had chicken pox -- remained with his family at the hotel.
Indians spokesman Bart Swain said Lee was checked by doctors Saturday and had no symptoms of chicken pox. Lee was to be checked again today.
If Lee does develop chicken pox, he probably would drop the appeal and serve the suspension.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.