PITTSBURGH — Luis Pineda wanted to appeal his three-game suspension — largely because he feels he's not guilty. But after some discussions with Jose Rijo and Reds manager Bob Boone, Pineda will begin serving his penalty tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies.

        Pineda, a rookie right-hander, was suspended and fined $1,000 for hitting Chicago Cub Todd Hundley with a pitch April 3.

        Rijo, Pineda's mentor and Dominican Republic countryman, wanted Pineda to appeal.

        “He's a rookie who barely made the team,” Rijo said. “He's not going to hit a guy to load the bases with no outs. It makes no sense.”

        But Boone sold them on taking the suspension.

        “Boonie made a good point,” Rijo said. “The bullpen is rested and pitching good. Get it over with.”

        Pineda had a good case. Hundley was the fifth of six batters hit in the three-game series. Chicago reliever Jeff Fassero hit three Opening Day.

        “It's ridiculous,” Rijo said.

        Pineda bounced back from his 11-pitch, 10-ball performance Saturday with 1 1/3 innings of no-hit relief Wednesday. “Like I said, everyone has a bad day,” Pineda said. Pineda struck out the side in the sixth and reached 96 mph on the radar gun.

        “That's the way I throw,” he said. “My arm was tight the last few weeks. It's loose now.”

        Pineda throws 96 mph and makes it look easy.

        “He's so smooth it's a sneaky 96,” Boone said. “It seems faster.”

Reds 3, Pirates 2 Suspended Pineda rethinks appeal Reds Notebook: Clark makes grave mistake Reds box, runs Reds-Phillies Series Preview Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 4 Mariners 8, Angels 4

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