NEW YORK -- Braves first baseman Andres Galarraga was suspended for three games and fined Monday for charging the mound and fighting after John Wasdin hit him with a pitch last week at Colorado.

	Galarraga charges the mound and scuffles with Colorado's John Wasdin on Aug. 22nd.

Rockies manager Buddy Bell and Wasdin were suspended two games each and also fined by Frank Robinson, baseball's vice president of discipline.

Galarraga appealed the suspension and was in the starting lineup for Monday night's home game against the Cincinnati Reds. The Big Cat feels his actions were justified because Wasdin challenged him to fight.

"I had no choice," said Galarraga, who batted cleanup against the Reds. "It's too many days for that. I'll have to appeal it and see what happens."

Wasdin also appealed and was available for Colorado's game at Philadelphia. Bell decided to serve his suspension and was replaced by bench coach Toby Harrah.

"I have the utmost respect for Frank," Bell said before the game against the Phillies. "I talked to him, and I'm going to start tonight."

Wasdin hit Galarraga with a pitch in the 11th inning of last Tuesday's 7-6 Colorado victory, a game in which Rockies catcher Brent Mayne wound up as the winning pitcher.

After he was hit by a pitch, Galarraga slowly walked toward first base as Wasdin gestured at him. Galarraga rushed Wasdin, and the benches emptied.

Wasdin, Galarraga and Bell were ejected.

"I'm not trying to hit a guy, especially in a 6-6 game," Wasdin said after the game. "I'm just trying to be aggressive. There's no reason to put a winning run on first base. No, it wasn't intentional."

Robinson said Galarraga was suspended for "charging the mound, fighting and provoking a bench-clearing incident," while Wasdin was suspended for "instigating a fight, fighting and provoking a bench-clearing incident."

Bell was suspended for "multiple occurrences" this season of "prolonged and excessive arguing" and "delaying the game."

When players appeal, the suspension cannot start until after a hearing before Paul Beeston, baseball's chief operating officer.