MONTREAL — Reliever Scott Sullivan decided to drop his appeal of the three-game suspension he received for throwing at Colorado's Brian Hunter and igniting a brawl July 15.

        Sullivan will begin serving his suspension tonight. He'll be eligible to pitch again Tuesday.

        Sullivan, who also was fined $1,500, had planned to plead his case before disciplinary chief Frank Robinson and other baseball officials during next week's series in New York, where the major leagues are headquartered.

        But, Sullivan said, “Given Frank Robinson's pretty stern stance on things, we thought there was little to no chance of getting the (penalty) reduced.”

        Sullivan will be allowed to join the team's pregame batting practice but cannot be anywhere near the bench or bullpen during the games he misses.

        EDDIE EMERGES: Eddie Taubensee lined three singles and a double Friday to record his third four-hit game of the season, matching his career high.

        It was a welcome performance for Taubensee, who entered the game in an 8-for-70 skid that had dropped his batting average to .239.

        Taubensee entertained the notion that this hitting outburst might have lifted him out of his slump.

        “Of course, it's a big night for me,” said Taubensee, who notched his second multiple-hit game since May 22. “With the confidence you find when you get hits — sure, why not? It's a good stepping-stone for me and the team, hopefully.”

        Taubensee barely missed his first home run since May 3 when his seventh-inning double caromed off the top of the right-field wall. He has gone 55 games without a homer.

        ETC. Sean Casey's two-run double in the first in ning lengthened his career-high hitting streak to 19 games.

        • Shortstop Barry Larkin shook off the dislocation he suffered in his left pinky finger Wednesday and was in Friday's starting lineup.

        • Right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez threw off a bullpen mound for about 10 minutes and will do so again Sunday, pitching coach Don Gullett said. Gullett said Fernandez, who's recovering from an injured elbow, would need at least one injury rehabilitation start before rejoining Cincinnati's rotation.

        • Though the Reds' starting pitcher for Tuesday's game officially was listed as “to be announced,” it's likely to be Steve Parris.

        UP NEXT: Pete Harnisch (3-5) returns to the site of one of his most distressing 1999 defeats tonight when he opposes right-hander Javier Vazquez (8-5). Harnisch lost a 5-0 lead and a no-hitter in the fifth inning Aug.29, ultimately allowing a season-high eight runs.

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