ANGELS UPDATE: SPIEZIO, GLAUS STATE THEIR CASES.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - First baseman Scott Spiezio and third baseman Troy Glaus met with baseball officials Wednesday afternoon in an effort to have their suspensions reduced. A decision is expected by Friday.

Spiezio (six games) and Glaus (two games) were suspended for their roles in the March 9 fight with the San Diego Padres.

There were two fights that day, the first when Angels pitcher Aaron Sele hit the Padres' Ryan Klesko with a pitch and Klesko charged the mound. Spiezio and Glaus were involved in the second fight, which started after Padres pitcher Bobby Jones threw a pitch near Glaus' head, and Glaus charged the mound. During the ensuing scuffle near the mound, Spiezio threw punches at Padres coach Tim Flannery and Padres manager Bruce Bochy.

Glaus and Spiezio made their cases separately, each lasting about 45 minutes. Present during the appeal was Robert DuPuy, president and COO of Major League Baseball, Bob Watson, vice president in charge of on-field operations, Matt McKendry of MLB and Bob Lenaghan of the MLB Players Association.

``It's a determination of whether the penalty is fair under the circumstances based on past practice and mitigating circumstances,'' said DuPuy, who refused to divulge specifics of the meeting. ``My obligation is to be fair, apply the standard of the collective-bargaining agreement and apply general principles of labor law. That's all.''

Glaus, whose suspension is set to begin April 8, refused to talk about the meeting: ``It really isn't anybody's business.''

Spiezio, whose suspension is set to begin opening day, was glad to have the opportunity to tell his side of the story.

``I think there were a lot of things they didn't know until I told them,'' he said. ``It's the first time anything like this has ever happened to me. I've never been to court, never been ejected, never been disciplined in any way.''

Spiezio had denied vehemently accusations by the Padres that he was kicking during the fight.

``I mentioned what I saw happen,'' he said. ``I mentioned I'm not a guy that does this stuff. I don't know what they're thinking, but I think they understand what happened a lot better.''

ANGELS vs. MILWAUKEE

Time: 11:05 a.m., Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Radio: 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: In the Angels' final Cactus League game of the spring, RH Kevin Appier (1-1, 6.00 ERA) will face Brewers RH Ben Sheets. The Angels will return to Southern California immediately after the game.

Wednesday's result: Ramon Ortiz gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in an 8-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Ortiz will pitch against minor-leaguers at Rancho Cucamonga in a simulated game Monday.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. MILWAUKEE (see text)