Umpire suspended for 1 game

NEW YORK — Umpire Brian Runge was suspended for one game Thursday for bumping into New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel before ejecting him earlier in the week.

Manuel and center fielder Carlos Beltran also were fined by Major League Baseball for arguing with Runge in the fourth inning of the Mets' game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Beltran started talking to Runge after he took two called strikes from R.A. Dickey to begin the inning. Runge took off his mask and continued the dialogue before he brushed dirt off home plate. Manuel then came out and started arguing.

Runge bumped into Manuel before throwing him out of the game. The manager walked to the bench after getting a few more words in as the Shea Stadium crowd roared.

Beltran continued the conversation and Runge quickly threw him out. An incensed Beltran then got in Runge's face and had to be held back before Manuel came out to escort the All-Star to the dugout.

ASTROS RELEASE CHACON: Shawn Chacon was put on waivers Thursday by the Houston Astros, a day after he got into a physical altercation with general manager Ed Wade. If another team doesn't claim Chacon by Monday, the Astros say they will release the pitcher and terminate his contract for cause, which would set off a confrontation with the players' association over the nearly $1 million that would remain on Chacon's contract. "Based on the information we have to date, we believe the Astros' response violates the Basic Agreement," union general counsel Michael Weiner said. "If Shawn Chacon clears waivers and is released, we will pursue appropriate relief on his behalf."

MATSUI SITS AGAIN: New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui remained out of the lineup — and the batting cage — with a sore left knee Thursday and will be re-examined Friday by team doctors. If he is cleared to play, Matsui could be the designated hitter for the first of the Yankees' two games Friday against the Mets. If the doctors don't like what they see, Matsui might be headed to the disabled list.

FAN TO AUCTION GRIFFEY HR BALL: The Florida Marlins fan who says he caught the baseball that Ken Griffey Jr. hit for his 600th career home run plans to sell it in an auction. Joe Scherer said Thursday he decided to put the ball in the Aug. 1 auction after consulting with other people, including family and friends, in the aftermath of the June 9 game in Miami. Doug Allen, president of Mastro Auctions in suburban Chicago, expects the ball to attract substantial bidding interest and could sell for at least $50,000.