Kemp begins serving reduced suspension

Jun 12, 2008 - 7:22 PM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp began serving a reduced two-game suspension Thursday.

Kemp, who originally was suspended four games last week, will serve the abbreviated suspension for Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres and Friday's contest vs. the Detroit Tigers.

One of Los Angeles' top young players, Kemp was penalized for helping to incite a benches-clearing incident nine days ago in a game against the Colorado Rockies.

While swinging at a ball in the dirt, Kemp was left leaning toward first base when Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba went to tag him out after failing to catch the pitch cleanly.

Frustrated by the strikeout and what he thought was a hard tag, Kemp pushed Torrealba, who immediately pushed back before both players ended up tackling each other to the ground, leading to both benches emptying.

Torrealba was suspended three games for his role in the incident.

Kemp, 23, is batting .294 with five home runs, 38 RBI and 11 stolen bases this season.