ASTROS’ COACH CINTRON SUSPENDED 20 GAMES

In the wake of Sunday’s on-field confrontation between the Astros and A’s, Oakland outfielder Ramon Laureano has been suspended six games and Astros’ hitting coach Alex Cintron 20 games.

Each also received an undisclosed fine.  Laureano says he will appeal the suspension, while Cintron says he will not protest the league’s ruling.

Laureano says Cintron and he traded expletives, before he claims Cintron shouted a Spanish slur about Laureano's mother.

After the exchange of words, Cintron, as shown on replays, stepped out of the first-base dugout and motioned for Laureano to come at him.  Laureano then ran toward Cintron, who stayed behind Astros players as Laureano was tackled and the benches for both teams emptied.

In a statement released Tuesday, Cintron said he accepted the suspension and "will learn from this" but denied referencing Laureano's mother. He acknowledged his "actions were inappropriate."