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Orioles 3B Machado drops appeal, accepts 4-game suspension

Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado follows through on an RBI-single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 17, 2016 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado follows through on an RBI-single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 17, 2016 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

By Associated Press June 18, 2016 1 min read

BALTIMORE (AP) – Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado dropped his appeal of a four-game suspension for charging the mound and will begin serving the punishment on Sunday.

Manager Buck Showalter said Saturday: “It’s going to start somewhere and it’s going to be painful any way you do it.”

Machado rushed toward Kansas City Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura on June 8 after being hit in the back with a 99 mph fastball.

Machado punched Ventura in the face and was subsequently tackled by the pitcher as both benches and bullpens emptied.

Major League Baseball slapped a four-game suspension and a fine on Machado, who immediately appealed.

When he begins his suspension, Machado’s run of 229 consecutive starts – the longest current streak in the majors – will come to an end.

Ventura began serving his eight-game suspension on Saturday.