The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood's appeal was rejected Monday and he will begin serving his five-game suspension today.

Wood was fined and suspended for angrily confronting umpire Eric Cooper on April 17. Wood initially served the suspension in May - but it was reinstated when he was placed on the disabled list for a period covering the penalty.

Wood became angry with Cooper on April 17 after walking Reds outfielder Adam Dunn on a 3-2 pitch in the ninth inning. Dunn later scored the go-ahead run on a double by Wily Mo Pena, leading Chicago manager Dusty Baker to pull Wood.

After Baker made the pitching change, Wood sprinted off the mound and began screaming at Cooper before he was ejected. As he walked down the dugout, Wood heaved a batting helmet and gloves onto the field. Fans at Wrigley Field then littered the warning track with debris and the game was held up for several minutes.

WHITE SOX: Manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended Monday for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for arguing with umpires during an Aug. 9 game against Cleveland.

Guillen was ejected after the first inning for arguing with umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after Carlos Lee was called out trying to steal second base.

Guillen's suspension is scheduled to begin today when the White Sox face the Detroit Tigers.

YANKEES: Recently released Mets outfielder Shane Spencer rejoined the team, signing a minor league contract after working out at their spring training complex.

Spencer played for the Yankees from 1998-2002 and was let go by the New York Mets earlier this month. He will join Triple-A Columbus, and could eventually provide added depth for the AL East leaders.

Spencer cleared waivers Aug. 6, and was released by the Mets following an agreement among the team, the commissioner's office and the players' association.

The Mets suspended Spencer on July 28, one day after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

INDIANS: Cleveland entered Monday 21-11 since the All-Star break, tops in the American League.

After falling eight games behind first-place Minnesota following a fourth straight loss on Aug. 3, the Indians won 10 of 11 to pull within one game of the Twins before losing Sunday.

SHORT HOPS: The Boston Red Sox set a team record Sunday by topping 2 million in attendance in their 58th game, a 5-4 loss to the White Sox. The crowd of 34,405 lifted their total to 2,033,250. All games have been sellouts. The previous record of 60 was set last year.

• Twins closer Joe Nathan has converted 27 straight saves without allowing a run. He has allowed just 14 hits and six walks with 32 strikeouts over his last 28 innings.

• Devil Rays rookie shortstop B.J. Upton has a seven-game hitting streak and is 12-for-27 in that span. "He's looking more confident at the plate," Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said.

• A crowd of 43,610 Sunday gave the Phillies 35 sellouts in 60 home games at their new ballpark.